Northland's Ngapuhi people are making progress in talks on who should represent them in settling their massive Treaty claim.
The board created by the Ngapuhi runanga to negotiate a settlement ran into opposition earlier this year from a number of hapu, who said it did not fairly represent the iwi.
Ngati Hine spokesperson Pita Tipene says the the working party set up to resolve the issues, Te Roopu Wha-iti, has met three times since September and the talks have been productive.
He says the working group hopes to report its proposals to Ngapuhi at the end of January and discuss them with Minister of Treaty Settlements Chris Finlayson around Waitangi Day.
