A bold stand is being taken in the fight against methamphetamine in Northland, as the Chair of Te Rūnanga ā Iwi o Ngāpuhi, Mane Tahere, continues to raise consciousness around the devastating impact meth is having on whānau and hapū within Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi.

In a recent meeting with Government Ministers and agencies, Chairperson Mane Tahere came away from the hui convinced that these matters are being taken seriously.

“It was a positive meeting with strong commitment around the table to work together” said Chairperson Tahere”

The Chair’s message to anyone involved in this destruction is clear and uncompromising:

“We all come from rangatira whakapapa – meth is not a rangatira kaupapa. If you're on the gear – get off and seek support. If you're involved in distribution – go get lost. This is Te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi, and meth has no place here.”

The partnership between the Rūnanga and various government Ministers and their agencies signals a unified approach rooted in both the reality of what’s happening and community-based action. There is a shared understanding that tackling meth requires more than enforcement – it requires community leadership, healing, and restoration.

"Working alongside communities is how we begin to create meaningful change. Police cannot do this “on their own” was the affirmative theme of the hui.

Chairperson Tahere emphasised the importance of Ngapuhi leading the solutions from within, and holding firm to the mana and tapu of Ngāpuhi spaces. At his local Takiwa (Cluster of Local Marae) hui Marae reps shared more horrifying stories about the impact of meth in our valleys and on Marae. I sat there listening to an 80-year-old kuia explain her 8-year struggle with local users constantly causing trouble with her and her whanau, it is so sad.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

“Meth is desecrating our whakapapa, our homes, and our sacred spaces. It’s time to stand up, speak out, and reclaim our future. We are the descendants of giants – let’s act like it. We need to use every tool available to us in a strategy that is real.

The Rūnanga and Government remain committed to continuing their kōrero, and will provide further updates in the coming weeks as plans are developed and actions begin. This will be followed by a visit from the Police and other ministers to some of our Marae’s and community to hear first-hand some of the struggle but more importantly some of our solutions.

© Scoop Media