Tūhoronuku resignations sparks call of hapū unity for new mandate

Four Ngāpuhi Trustees have resigned after Tūhoronuku failed twice in one week to adopt a workable implementation plan for recommendations aimed at strengthening hapū participation in the settlement process. Trustees and Hapū kaikōrero from other regions are expected to soon follow suit and withdraw hapū support for the Tūhoronuku process.

This move effectively ends the hopes of the Tūhoronuku Trust to lead the settlement process for Ngāpuhi.

The resigning Trustees will now actively hold discussions with the leadership of Te Kotahitanga and any other hapū leadership that support the Maranga Mai recommendations and wish to move into that model as soon as possible. These talks will be focussed on implementing the new structure.

The hapū leadership will also call an Iwi wide Hui of Ngāpuhi hapū over the coming weeks to support a transition team and move Ngāpuhi forward into the Maranga Mai model to negotiate the Ngāpuhi claims. Together Ngāpuhi will then seek to engage with the Minister to have Crown recognition of the mandate transferred to the new model.

This marks a new Ngāpuhi wide approach for the future in which the Treaty relationship will be positioned upon solid foundations, where the depth of hapū leadership and talent within the Iwi is not stifled by a few individuals at the top.

The Maranga Mai model aims to ensure hapū rangatiratanga and hapū tikanga are respected, protected and enhanced at every stage in the settlement process and beyond. In the TIMA board meeting today, five hours of discussion and debate led to a resolution that fundamentally changes and denies hapū rangatatiratanga by establishing a near identical organisation to TIMA. The resigning trustees as well as other trustees voted against the resolution.

The vision for the future of Ngāpuhi hapū and Iwi is one which includes whānau and hapū thriving as strong, healthy, powerful, political, social and economic communities in which they collaborate and support each other to achieve their full potential. This approach is what makes Ngāpuhi great and will unite the hapū through the negotiated settlement of its Ngāpuhi claims.

Cheryl_Turner_23_September_2016_Letter_of_Resignation_from_TIMA.pdf

Helene_Leef_23_September_2016_Letter_of_Resignation_from_TIMA.pdf

M_Tuwhare_23_September_2016_Letter_of_Resignation_from_TIMA_v.1.pdf

S_Napia_23_September_2016_Notice_of_Resignation_of_Sam_Napia_from_TIMA1.pdf

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