The Bay Of Islands-based hapu of Ngāti Manu has become the first of 110 northern sub-tribes to formally reject the crown/government proposals for settling the large Ngāpuhi Treaty Claim.

At a series of consultation hui with Ngapuhi, many hapu representatives spoke out against the crown/government process – denouncing it as political expediency, and breaking promises of an honourable process.

Meanwhile, following a hui last night at Karetu Marae with Treaty Negotiations Minister, Andrew Little, the Ngāti Manu hapu issued the following statements:

1. We, Ngāti Manu, unequivocally reject the current proposed model in its entirety; and we demand an honourable process

2. Mā Ngāti Manu, nā Ngāti Manu, e ai ki a Ngāti Manu. (Essentially only Ngāti Manu speaks for Ngāti Manu) Ngāti Manu continues to assert our hāpu rangatiratanga (meaning the sub-tribe is adamant its sovereignty, pre-dating the Treaty Of Waitangi, still exists today)

3. Ngāti 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)

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