Nga¯puhi hapu¯ standing firm

More than 70 per cent of Nga¯puhi hapu¯ have now reportedly voted to reject the Tu¯hono mandate proposal developed by the Crown and representatives from Tu¯horonuku and Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu¯ o Ngapuhi.

Leaders of the Nga¯puhi hapu¯, Te Uri o Hua, TakotoKe¯, Nga¯ti Whakaeke, Nga¯ti Kura and Nga¯ti Tautahi, all of whom voted against the evolved mandate proposal over the weekend, said the outcome of those hui was undeniable, and a reflection of the hapu¯ standing “in their own power.”

“Our people have spoken with conviction, pride in our hapu¯ and with mana, and we are all feeling really good about that,” kaumatua and Te Uri o Hua hapu¯ kaikorero Ted Wihongi said.

“The hapu¯ leadership within Te Pu o Te Wheke put the call out for the hapu¯ to show up in force and be part of this decision, and close to 200 of our people answered the call.”

Whakaangi Kapa, hapu¯ kaikorero for Nga¯ti Whakaeke, said the hapu¯ could thank the Tu¯hono leadership for providing the impetus for them to respond.

“Although the hapu¯ have

" . . . we can take many positives out of the process, including building on the current momentum this latest process has created and shifting our focus to a plan that can work for us and all the hapu¯ ."

Ted Wihongi

Te Uri o Hua hapu¯ kaikorero

said no to the proposal on the table, we can take many positives out of the process, including building on the current momentum this latest process has created and shifting our focus to a plan that can work for us and all the hapu¯,” he said.

The hapu¯ of Te Pu o Te Wheke/ Kaikohekohe are now calling on all the hapu¯ teams of Nga¯puhi to meet at Kohewhata marae in the New Year to discuss a plan for the way forward. The hui is scheduled for Saturday January 19, starting at 10am.