A statement by the Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority

23 November 2015

Positive engagement to unite Ngāpuhi on its settlement journey

The Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority (Tūhoronuku IMA) welcomes the opportunity to meet with hapū currently opposed to the Ngāpuhi settlement process. Agreement has been reached between parties currently opposed to the mandate, the Office of Treaty Settlements and Tūhoronuku IMA to engage and discuss how we can resolve the issues and progress the Ngāpuhi negotiation process in a unified and coordinated manner.

The process will include the Tūhoronuku IMA, any parties seeking to engage on the issues raised in the recent Waitangi Tribunal Ngāpuhi mandate report and the Crown (Office of Treaty Settlements).

Beginning soon, an intense programme of hui will be held with a view to resolving issues by early next year. The outcome will be non-binding options and recommendations to the respective parties on the way forward for resolution.

There are a number of key issues that will be addressed through the process including giving effect to Hapū Rangatiratanga throughout the negotiation and settlement.

“The advancement of our people is a priority, and we are confident that with goodwill on all sides, agreement can be reached on a way forward."

Hone Sadler, Chairman, Tūhoronuku IMA
Tūhoronuku acknowledge the leadership of those representatives who have agreed to engage in this process.

“Many of these people have to this point been outside the Ngāpuhi settlement and led claims to the Waitangi Tribunal under urgency in regards to the mandate. This is an encouraging sign and opportunity that Ngāpuhi really needs to grasp at this time if we are to make the progress towards settlement that our people deserve and are expecting from all of us.” says Mr Sadler.

The engagement process follows the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Crown’s process to recognise the mandate given to the Tūhoronuku IMA.

The Tūhoronuku IMA has established a five-member engagement committee to participate in this kaupapa, led by trustee Moana Tuwhare.

Tūhoronuku chairman, Hone Sadler, said Tūhoronuku fully supported the engagement process: “Overwhelmingly Ngāpuhi want settlement, it will just take time to work through the processes."

Mr Sadler said the Tūhoronuku IMA gave their commitment to Ngāpuhi that there would be transparency around the engagement process, with regular communications from the engagement committee expected, and opportunities for Ngāpuhi – no matter where we live – to contribute to the process.

He said the engagement committee would be providing regular updates in the coming weeks.

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

The primary source for all Ngāpuhi settlement information is www.tuhoronuku.com

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