13 Aug 2017

Ngāpuhi mandate kicks off new series of hui today

7:25 am on 13 August 2017

The Ngāpuhi mandate authority kicks off a new series of hui around the north today to seek feedback on its stalled Treaty settlement.

Ngapuhi leader Sonny Tau

Ngāpuhi leader Sonny Tau. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams

Tuhoronuku - the board claiming the right to run the iwi Treaty settlement - refused to accept a plan dubbed Maranga Mai that would put hapū in the driving seat in settlement talks.

And the closely-connected Ngāpuhi runanga has given Tuhoronuku $50,000 to go back to the people and test support.

A prominent Mangakahia elder, Sharon Kaipo, said a hui at Te Aroha marae in Parakao could be fiery.

She said people were fed up with continued spending by iwi leaders when they had already spent $6 million on a failed settlement drive.

Mrs Kaipo said throwing more money at the problem was not a fix.

The Tuhoronuku board was set up by Ngāpuhi leader Sonny Tau.

Negotiations have repeatedly broken down and reached a stalemate when Tohoronuku leaders boycotted recommendations by the Waitangi Tribunal to give hapū more control.

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