Ngapuhi hapu set to discuss treaty process

Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson

Peace talks are about to break out among opposing Ngapuhi factions over the tribe's controversial Treaty of Waitangi claims mandate.

Tuhoronuku is set to start engaging with opposing hapu following a Waitangi Tribunal report which showed the group's structures undermined hapu sovereignty. As the group given mandate to negotiate Treaty claims on behalf of Ngapuhi, Tuhoronuku has come under fire by many hapu who are against Tuhoronuku negotiating on their behalf.

But, progress is being made as an agreement has been reached between some parties currently opposed to the mandate, the Office of Treaty Settlements and Tuhoronuku to engage and discuss how issues can be resolved.

"There has been lots of issues holding back the process so it is important to try and work with hapu and move the process forward," said Moana Tuwhare, who is leading a five-member engagement committee to participate in this kaupapa.

The process will include Tuhoronuku, any parties seeking to engage on the issues raised in the recent Waitangi Tribunal Ngapuhi mandate report and the Crown.

Ms Tuwhare said she had already received the thumbs up from groups willing to participate, while others were still discussing whether to engage.

She said the process, likely to begin in December, will involve an intense programme with the aim of resolving issues by early next year. The outcome will be non-binding options and recommendations to the relevant parties on the way forward for resolution.

"The advancement of our people is a priority, and we are confident that, with goodwill on all sides, agreement can be reached on a way forward," said Tuhoronuku chairman Hone Sadler.

The engagement process follows the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Ngapuhi mandate, which found, while the Crown was right in recognising Tuhoronuku's mandate, the structures of the group undermined the rangatiratanga of hapu. Lack of engagement with groups in opposition was also listed as a major concern in Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson's September letter to Tuhoronuku.