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A comprehensive Ngapuhi Treaty Settlement process begins

Wednesday 18 March 2009, 12:16AM

By Runanga Communications

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KAIKOHE

The journey to reach a comprehensive Treaty Settlement for Ngapuhi began in Kaikohe today at a hui for Te Roopu Kaumatua Kuia o Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi, Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi and hapu rangatira.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi Chairperson, Raniera (Sonny) Tau says “this is about restoring the house of Ngapuhi and getting a clear direction of what pathway the people want to take.”

The hui agreed to proceed with the process of getting agreement from Ngapuhi to begin the journey of settlement negotiations with the crown. It will represent the beginning of a process to settle with New Zealand’s largest iwi.

This is the first step in Ngapuhi’s Treaty settlement pathway, and will be a two-stage process:

  • hapu leaders will be met kanohi ki te kanohi, and their support sought 
  • a nationwide road-show ( including Australia) will be held to meet and discuss the claim with Ngapuhi katoa.

The process supports - not interferes with – the claims to be heard at the proposed Waitangi Tribunal hearings in October 2009 on Te Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi - an incorporated charitable trust – has been directed by Ngapuhi to facilitate and support progress toward establishing the mandate.

Sonny Tau says: “The Kaumatua and Kuia have been consistently telling me to get out there and get this done, its quite clear that only the Runanga had the capacity to drive this forward now.”

“The intention is that the settlement will provide an enduring resolution to Ngapuhi historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims, for and on behalf of all Ngapuhi hapu.

“This will only occur after Ngapuhi whanau, hapu and marae have had opportunities to participate throughout the journey.”

“There was wide support today for our historic claims to be settled, as the cost – both social and financial - of the lost opportunity of not having a settlement keeps mounting.

The timeline between now and the hearings provide an opportunity to advance the Ngapuhi Deed of Mandate.