Ngāpuhi Survey released today by Horizon Research New Zealand

Statement by Hōne Sadler, Chairman Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority

• 70% of Ngāpuhi want Tūhoronuku to continue representing them in Treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown

• Majority support from all age groups, genders, Tai Tokerau (Northland), Auckland and other parts of Aotearoa

• 79% want majority of settlement assets kept intact; only 10% want assets completely divided up among hapū

• The most important issues facing Ngāpuhi today are whānau wellbeing, education, employment, housing and youth development

• “Let Ngāpuhi Speak” Horizon Research New Zealand online survey was conducted nationwide during August at hui across Tai Tokerau, Auckland, elsewhere in Aotearoa

• Survey followed urging of Prime Minister in June for Ngāpuhi to “sort out
internal issues”

Ngāpuhi have spoken: 70% support for Tūhoronuku mandate, want settlement to progress without delay to advance our people

Overwhelmingly Ngāpuhi have reconfirmed their mandate for Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority to represent them in settling all Te Tiriti o Waitangi grievances and breaches by the Crown against Ngāpuhi.

Exactly 70% of Ngāpuhi want Tūhoronuku to represent them, which is remarkable, considering the years of vocal opposition from a small group of hapū and the mountains of negative media coverage they have generated.

The truth is, Ngāpuhi are fed up with the nay-sayers. They have spoken out strongly: we want Tūhoronuku to get on with our settlement so our people can advance in their lifetime and set off on the road to growth and prosperity, putting our grievances behind us.

We are humbled by their trust. E tūohu ana mātou ki mua i te aroaro o tō mātou Iwi ō Ngāpuhi kia pēnei tō rātou whirinaki, mā Te Rōpū ō Tūhoronuku e hakatatū I ngā mamae o Ngāpuhi katoa me te Karauna.

We salute Prime Minister Bill English for having the wisdom to withdraw the Crown from mandate negotiations. He told us to sort out our internal issues ourselves.

After Te Kotahitanga refused to meet with us, we commissioned Horizon Research New Zealand2 to conduct an independent survey of Ngāpuhi throughout the land. Every Ngāpuhi over 18 was invited to take part.

The result is beyond dispute. 70% is a comprehensive mandate. Political parties
campaigning for votes this week would die for this number.

The Prime Minister asked us to come back when we’d resolved our mandate issues. We will be visiting Wellington soon after the general elections to talk to the Prime Minister (whoever he or she is), and expecting to begin settlement negotiations immediately. That is the wish of Ngāpuhi.

The fact is, there will never be 100% support for any representative organisation, so we won’t expect the Crown to drag the chain on the Ngāpuhi settlement any longer. Or are there different rules for Ngāpuhi than for other New Zealanders?

We will remain open to dialogue and will be seeking to include points from the Maranga Mai Report that would enhance the Mandate and satisfy the remedial issues of the Mandate as highlighted by the Waitangi Tribunal.

Ngāpuhi are passionate about settlement

I urge all Ngāpuhi to read the attached Horizon Research report. We lay it bare for our people, warts and all.

Horizon Research said they were struck by how passionate and impatient Ngāpuhi are for settlement, about their fears they will be left behind. Many wrote at length about their feelings, concerns and aroha for our people. We thank them sincerely for their kōrero. All will be studied and any criticism will be taken on board.

“Ngāpuhi will never have cohesiveness but I hope that a treaty settlement will with careful planning and smart investments, grow assets, provide benefits such as scholarships, medical, housing, and employment. Our marae are our life blood and they need to be revitalized with wananga and hope. DO NOT ALLOW THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXPLOITED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FEW.....THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE HOPE AND A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE. I am proud to be Ngāpuhi and I want to show the rest of Aotearoa and the world just how strong and vital we are. Please let us finally come together in unity and provide a better future for our tamariki and mokopuna.”

ENDS

What is the Tūhoronuku IMA?

• The Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority is the mandated entity for all Ngāpuhi, no matter where we live. In September 2011, Ngāpuhi voted overwhelmingly (76.4% of those who voted) to give their mandateto Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku.

• On 14 February 2014, the mandate Ngāpuhi gave Tūhoronuku was officially recognised by the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

• The number of representatives on the Tūhoronuku IMA was increased, with hapū representatives now having the majority voice – 15 of the 22 representatives.

• New elections were held for the 22 Tūhoronuku IMA representatives from March to July 2014.

• Annually audited accounts as well as the governance and operational structures of Tūhoronuku have been given a clean bill of health.

• A Crown Monitor has been appointed to oversee financial expenditure as well as the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) having input into the kind of expenditure that can be expended.

What is the Tūhoronuku IMA purpose?

• According to the Tūhoronuku IMA Trust Deed the purpose is to negotiate a settlement of all Te Tiriti o Waitangi grievances and breaches by the Crown against Ngāpuhi.

What is Te Kotahitanga o Ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi?

• A small vocal group that has never sought nor received mandate from Ngāpuhi, with no democratically elected structure, no accountability, transparency and no formal reporting - unlike Tūhoronuku, which has all these. Until recently, the Crown funded
Te Kotahitanga to participate in the engagement process.

ENDS

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