Ngapuhi leader Raniera (Sonny) Tau writes on aims for a new era of diplomacy and negotiations
Next week, Ngapuhi - by far the biggest iwi in Aotearoa New Zealand - take another step in our most important journey in modern times, the road to Treaty settlement.
Over the next six weeks Ngapuhi leaders will be holding information hui throughout the country and also in Sydney and
Perth, where many whanui are now settled.
At these hui we will ask our people to consider a hapu-led strategy model that will enable us to begin discussing a comprehensive Ngapuhi settlement with the Crown. If this is agreed, we will then seek a Deed of Mandate from our people to begin negotiations.
It is a commonly held view that Ngapuhi have watched for too long while other iwi have benefited politically, economically and socially from Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Ngapuhi settlement will be complex and political, yet kaumatua and kuia believe the ability to move this important work forward lies within us at this time.
The Prime Minister has signalled a settlement with Ngapuhi is a priority. He agrees with us that settlement has the potential to make Ngapuhi a powerhouse in the North.
It is important to realise any comprehensive settlement with the Crown will be on behalf of all Ngapuhi. And more importantly, all Ngapuhi will benefit from it - whether they are in favour of this process or not.
While population-wise (122,214) we are the biggest iwi, sadly, we are also the poorest.
We are probably the youngest, too.
A snapshot of Ngapuhi (from the 2006 Census) shows:
* 39 per cent of Ngapuhi are under 15.
* 2.76 per cent are 65 or older.
* 13 per cent live in the North.
* 40 per cent live in Manukau City.
* 20 per cent live in Waitakere City.
* Just over half of those over 15 have formal educational qualifications.
Soon after Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840, breaches began taking place against our people, and our tupuna (ancestors) immediately sought justice.
Now, 170 years later, it is time to enter into negotiations with the Crown to finally settle these breaches, which will allow Ngapuhi to move forward as an iwi and take our rightful place as a main player in the life of our country.
We need to start strengthening our economic base and participate in the economic and social well-being of our people. Once we do this, jobs will be created, expertise will be attracted back home and marae will be restored.
The name Ngapuhi is ancient and describes all descendants of Rahiri and tupuna before him. They initially settled in Hokianga and migrated throughout Northland and down to Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland. Amid cultural and economic decline, the 20th century saw a steady migration of Ngapuhi south to Auckland, the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Australia, looking for work and prosperity.
Despite geographical distance, the people of Ngapuhi maintain their shared history and proud self-identity, which is especially evident at the increasingly popular Ngapuhi Festivals, alternating between Kaikohe and Auckland every year.
Also, the popularity of Ngapuhi's website and the Matahauariki web programme which shows Ngapuhi, no matter where they are living, have a strong need to stay connected to their iwi.
Matahauariki (to be found on tuhuronuku.com) is an internet initiative for all Ngapuhi to create a vision for their iwi post settlement.
It's the first time an iwi has asked its members to contribute ideas for its future - for when we've moved from grievance to post-settlement development. And it's easy to do on the internet, which is a way everyone can join in and have their say.
It features the well-known - and the not so well-known - telling their dreams for Ngapuhi. Among the first contributors are Magic netball coach Noeline Taurua, league legend Ruben Wiki and Maori Television star presenter Julian Wilcox.
We've got lots of famous Ngapuhi lining up, but we want to make it clear this is a people's programme, and any Ngapuhi - be they kaumatua, kuia, youngsters at school in Northland, in Auckland, Australia or America ... they're all invited to contribute.
So far we've got Ngapuhi talking about their dreams for the environment, culture, education and a greater Ngapuhi presence in Auckland, where most of our people are.
We urge all Ngapuhi to come to the settlement information hui over the next six weeks. You can find out dates and venues on our website.
We are fortunate to have a Government which is focused on fast-tracking settlements, and which wants to see Ngapuhi settlement as much as we do. This is an exciting time to be Ngapuhi.
Kia tu tika ai te whare tapu o Ngapuhi.
* Full details of the Ngapuhi hui can be found on www.tuhoronuku.com