5 November 2016

Ngati Rehia support Ngapuhi mandated authority – Tuhoronuku

It is not for the Crown to direct Ngapuhi what to do, how to do it and who will do it.

Ngati Rehia challenge the Crown to start working constructively with the mandated entity Tuhoronuku and to acknowledge that Ngapuhi hapu have their rangatiratanga. Te Huranga Hohaia, ‘We want to settle but we won’t be moving very far with the continued interference of the crown and their continued acceptance of a group who have no mandate.’

Te Ropu o Tuhoronuku was given an overwhelming mandate (76% of those who voted) by Ngapuhi to negotiate a settlement with the Crown. It is the only entity that has a mandate from Ngapuhi.

In giving Tūhoronuku their mandate, Ngāpuhi supported the representation of Hapū, Kaumatua and Kuia, Ngāpuhi residing in Auckland, Wellington, South Island and Te Rūnanga Ā Iwi O Ngāpuhi representatives. Tuhoronuku continues to honour their commitment to Ngapuhi, to ensure that there is fair representation.

Commenting on the Maranga Mai Report, Mr Hohaia considers this report does not solve the issue of uniting Ngapuhi, ‘these options and opportunities were already available within the Tuhoronuku structure. The Crown has wasted 12 months of time and funding. The opportunity to strengthen the mandate is weakened further by the interference of the crown in Ngapuhi affairs. That they choose to dictate the terms of engagement with Ngapuhi whanau is an insult to the mana of Ngapuhi and particularly to our Ngapuhi Hapu.

This is the third attempt by the Crown to force on Ngapuhi a group of individuals who have no mandate from their hapu, have never been able to produce this mandate and yet the crown have engaged with them in the same capacity as the only Ngapuhi mandated entity.

Instead of starting the settlement negotiations process, the Crown is again shamefully dragging its heels, requesting further compromises in an attempt to accommodate a minority group.

Ngati Rehia looks forward to receiving written confirmation from Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu o Ngapuhi of the hapu who gave their mandate to be represented by them in settlement negotiations.

Ngati Rehia Kuia, Nora Rameka, ‘Ngapuhi hapu have been further marginalised by the actions of the Crown. Ngati Rehia challenges the Crown to work within its own policy. The primary focus appears to have shifted from addressing the Waitangi Tribunal recommendations to allowing a group without a mandate to have equal status and less accountability. All acceptable by the Crown. But not acceptable to Ngati Rehia.

ENDS

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