The Government has written to Ngapuhi spelling out its intention to call for feedback on a Deed of Mandate for an iwi group still struggling to unify the tribe.
Earlier this year, the Treaty Negotiations and Maori Affairs Ministers, confirmed the Crown's support for Te Ropu O Tuhoronuku's proposed amendments to a Deed of Mandate.
Tuhoronuku and another iwi group, Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu Ngapuhi - unhappy to consent to the deed, have been trying to resolve issues; including the structure of a mandating body.
This week, Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Chris Finlayson, wrote to both groups highlighting conflicts between the two parties since March 2011.
In the letter, he and Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples, think that it's time to complete the mandating process by advertising the Deed of Mandate to recognise whether there's sufficient support for Tuhoronuku.
The correspondence says discussions about amending the deed are still required.
But it says the ministers intend to advertise the deed around June and allow six weeks for people to make comments.
Tuhoronuku interim chairperson Sonny Tau says it has done as much as possible over the past 18 month's, even though it hasn't been able to resolve all issues.
He applauds the Government for its decision to move Ngapuhi forward.
