Hapu¯ rejects Treaty settlement process
Nga¯ti Manu is the first of Nga¯puhi’s 110 hapu¯ to formally reject the Crown’s latest treaty claims (Tu¯hono) process.
A series of consultation hui with Ngapuhi saw many hapu representatives speak against the process, denouncing it as political expediency and breaking promises of an honourable process.
Meanwhile, following a hui at Karetu Marae with Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little, Nga¯ti Manu issued a statement saying it unequivocally rejected the current proposed model in its entirety, and demanded an honourable process.
“Ma¯ Nga¯ti Manu, na¯ Nga¯ti Manu, e ai ki a Nga¯ti Manu. (Essentially only Nga¯ti Manu speaks for Nga¯ti Manu) Nga¯ti Manu continues to assert our hapu¯ rangatiratanga (meaning the sub-tribe is adamant its sovereignty, pre-dating the Treaty of Waitangi, still exists today),” it added.
“Nga¯ti Manu continues to seek direct negotiations of its claims (and it has done since the beginning of the Treaty claims process). I riro whenua atu, hoki whenua mai (As our land was taken, so should it be returned.).”
Meanwhile, those leading the proposed Nga¯puhi Treaty settlement model were still positive that it would be supported despite Nga¯ti Manu’s rejection of it. Representatives of the opposing factions have been working with Mr Little as Te Ro¯pu¯ Tu¯hono to develop the model. Iwi members had been consulted at hui around New Zealand and Australia, with agreement reached on a range of issues, but not resolving differences over how a settlement would be negotiated and distributed.
The Crown and Tu¯horonuku are pushing for a single cash settlement, while hapu¯ alliance Te Ko¯tahitanga wants six settlements, based on hapu¯ that took their claims to the Waitangi Tribunal.
The iwi proposal stipulated that while it was the right of hapu¯ to withdraw from the process, they would be unable to rejoin. The Crown’s negotiating resources were also already committed to the end of 2020, making a separate hapu¯ settlement very difficult.
Tu¯horonuku deputy chairman Raniera (Sonny) Tau said he was wary of how final the hapu¯’s decision would be.
“They will be looking at their options, like the other hapu¯ . The mandate is evolving through this round of hui and submissions, so now is the opportunity to have input, not to throw the toys out of the cot,” he said. “To break away now would show they never intended to be a part of it.”
Mr Tau, who also chairs Te Ru¯nanga-A¯-Iwi o Nga¯puhi, said the mandate had evolved over the past two rounds of hui to meet hapu concerns.
“There is no legitimate reason why they would want to leave other than saying they wanted to speak by themselves. But if they look at the proposal, that is exactly what it says.
“We have done all we can to open doors to every hapu¯.”
He still had no doubt that the proposal would be supported by the 75 per cent of iwi members and 65 per cent of hapu¯ required. If the proposal was supported, there could be an iwiwide vote in December on a proposed pathway to settlement.