3 more hapu¯ reject Nga¯ puhi negotiation model

More than 150 members of three South Hokianga hapu¯ have declined to support the new model for the negotiation of Nga¯puhi’s treaty claims.

Hapu¯ facilitator for the hui, Piripi Moore, said Ngati Korokoro, Te Pouka and Ngati Wharara could only garner sufficient support for the new proposal from one of their five marae communities.

“There was far too much opposition from key wha¯nau and marae communities for our hapu¯ to endorse what has been developed,” Mr Moore said.

“Of our five marae communities, only one voiced strong support. Two didn’t even really show up, and two others spoke strongly against it, including most of the significant and large wha¯nau from around our main marae and ancestral pa in Pakanae.

“We’re disappointed about the outcome, but pleased that our hui maintained a spirit of collaboration and respect throughout. This has been a heated issue for our many of our Nga¯puhi and Hokianga hapu¯ , so I’m really proud of how our people shared their thoughts honestly and came together to make this decision.

“A lot of time and effort goes into your people coming together in this manner to make this sort of decision, and we’re pleased the Crown wants to hear from our hapu¯ hui and talk with us about the outcome.

“The good thing is we are talking respectfully to each other within our hapu¯, and considering these issues together.”

The key stumbling block seemed to be around the role and make-up of the central negotiating body, concerns that would be outlined at a meeting with the Crown next week.

“We’re really pleased our treaty partner is listening, and we've got a substantive 30-page report on the outcome of the hui for them to consider,” Mr Moore added.

“The Waitangi Tribunal has found that these types of key decisions must be made by our hapu¯ using their tikanga, and not by individual hapu¯ members. This finding was really important to us, as it means we can maintain our unity and shared vision about how our people want to move forward together into the future.

“Our hapu¯ leadership will regroup, and look to call another meeting for our hapu¯ once we hear the result of the voting process to decide whether or not we will participate in negotiations should the vote be successful.”

"We’re disappointed about the outcome, but pleased that our hui maintained a spirit of collaboration and respect throughout. "

Piripi Moore, Hapu facilitator