16 November 2014

Tūhoronuku IMA welcomes Waitangi Tribunal report finding “Treaty signatories did not cede sovereignty”

Ngāpuhi negotiations entity Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority (Tūhoronuku IMA) welcomes the findings of the Waitangi Tribunal report that found “Treaty signatories did not cede sovereignty to the British Crown”.

Said Tūhoronuku IMA chairman Raniera (Sonny) Tau: “We have always known that our tūpuna knew this and now the Waitangi Tribunal, an independent commission of inquiry has confirmed it. Ngāpuhi did not cede sovereignty when our Tūpuna signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840.”

Mr Tau said the Tūhoronuku IMA acknowledged the commitment Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia provided during the very early preparations of these hearings, ‘we need to acknowledge the contribution of our Kaumātua and Kuia, they have been quite instrumental in this, Titewhai Harawira and Sir Graham Latimer as well as the many hundreds of Ngāpuhi who contributed’.

“And we acknowledge all those who began the journey, but were taken from us before they had the satisfaction of hearing the Tribunal confirm the truth they had fought for throughout their lives.”

Mr Tau said it was telling that the Tribunal had been silent on how the Crown acquired the sovereignty that it exercises today.

The question of whether the agreement that was reached in February 1840 was honoured in subsequent interactions between the Crown and Māori will be considered during stage two of the inquiry.

Mr Tau said Ngāpuhi and northern iwi awaited the stage two report with great interest, and hoped it would not be delayed as long as the first report.

Meanwhile, he challenged the Waitangi Tribunal to publish the stage one report and distribute it widely so all New Zealanders could read this important historical evidence and account.

Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority is the mandated entity to represent all Ngāpuhi - no matter where they live – to negotiate a settlement of all Crown grievances against Ngāpuhi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

ENDS

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