17 Mar 2014

Hapu gets behind Tuhoronuku

6:25 pm on 17 March 2014

A Bay of Islands hapu has decided to support contentious Ngapuhi Treaty settlement body Tuhoronuku.

Some sub-tribes are continuing to protest against the Crown-approved authority but Ngati Rehia is giving its backing.

Te Huranga Hohaia, the kaikorero [speaker] on settlement matters for the hapu, says his people have decided they want to be part part of the negotiations.

He says the sub-tribe has been vehemently opposed for past six years but changes have been made to the design of the mandate, which his hapu can work with.

Ngati Rehia kuia Nora Rameka says the people have decided - after intense debate - that it's better to be in the tent and at the table when negotiations begin rather than outside.