24 Aug 2011

Southern Ngapuhi mandating hui more subdued

7:23 pm on 24 August 2011

The Ngapuhi board seeking the right to settle the iwi's Treaty claims is holding its last South Island mandating hui in Invercargill on Wednesday evening.

Tuhoronuku put its case at four hui in Auckland last weekend, which became fiery when opponents weren't allowed to speak.

Pita Tipene, of Ngati Hine, has been following the roadshows with two others opposed to early settlement of the Ngapuhi claims.

He says the Wellington hui on Monday and Tuesday night's in Nelson have been more subdued, with locals trying to understand what's at stake.

A number of northern hapu think Ngapuhi should taihoa on negotiations till their land claims have been heard, starting next year.

Mr Tipene says the South Island whanaunga he spoke to after the hui wanted to know the alternatives to Tuhoronuku's strategy.