Media Statement: Ngati Korokoro

5th July 2016

South Hokianga hapu are dismayed at the recent announcements today from Te Kotahitanga Chair Rudy Taylor regarding the dropping of the name Tuhoronuku for the Ngapuhi mandate.

Ngati Korokoro representative Piripi Moore says, “No one has come to Pakanae to discuss such a thing with any of us, even though our hapu of Te Pouka, Ngati Wharara and Ngati Korokoro are the mana whenua here where Tuhoronuku was launched and the local kaitiaki of Rahiri’s pa. There’s a rangatira way of doing these sorts of things, and jumping the gun by making unilateral announcements such as this with no consultation at all with the mana whenua hapu is not the way to achieve it.”

“We’re acutely aware that there may need to be a reconsideration of the branding for the Ngapuhi mandate, and our hapu had already begun discussions and preparations to achieve this in a careful and mana enhancing way for everyone concerned, but most importantly to uphold the ohaki and mana of the manu aute of our rangatira, Rahiri.”

“The engagement process that Ngapuhi have just undertaken in regards to the mandate was supposed to be about empowering the mana of hapu, yet before we’ve even had an opportunity to consider the report these types of reckless statements are being released. We’re shocked that such a blunt approach has been taken and we’ll be raising this with the Kotahitanga leadership when we get an opportunity to discuss it.”

“The name Tuhoronuku has taken enough of a battering by Ngapuhi claimants and it’s time for this to stop. Should a name change be required for the Ngapuhi mandate we had hoped to be able to whakarangatira our manu aute Tuhoronuku, by retelling its story to our tamariki and mokopuna and holding a kite festival in honour of it, and if it is to be considered then we’ll be initiating the tono for this to happen, not the co-chair of Te Kotahitanga.”

ENDS

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