Tuhoronuku election results delayed

Kipa Munro, left, said the 21-day extension will allow those mandated hapu kaikorero who wish to meet and consult ahead of the nomination and appointment hui, to do so. Photo / John Stone

The announcement of the full election results for the 22 representatives on the Ngapuhi settlement entity Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority has been delayed three weeks, with flooding and a request from hapu for an extension behind the delays.

The results of the election will now be released on July 30, a statement from Kipa Munro from the Tuhoronuku IMA says.

Widespread flooding throughout Northland in early June meant that the kaumatua verification committee had to be postponed, which meant the 21- day notice period for the Stage 2 hapu representative election process could not be complied with.

Mr Munro said to ensure a fair and proper process, the 21- day notice period will now run from July 1 to 22. The hapu representative hui will be held from July 23 to 25.

He said hapu kaikorero have requested additional time to consult their hapu members over the past week and several mandated hapu kaikorero have requested additional time to consult their hapu ahead of the Stage 2 nomination and appointment hui, where they will appoint three hapu representatives for each of the five Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi regions.

Mr Munro said the 21-day extension will allow those mandated hapu kaikorero who wish to meet and consult ahead of the nomination and appointment hui, to do so.

Voting for kaumatua and kuia, Ngapuhi rohe (urban) and mandated hapu kaikorero representatives is now closed. The Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi (TRAION) board is yet to confirm the appointment of their representative to the IMA.

The announcement of the 22 Tuhoronuku IMA representatives will be followed soon after by the appointment of negotiators and the process for negotiations with the Crown.