FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Waitangi Iwi Leaders Forum, Waitangi February 5th 2009

Friday 30th January

Major issues affecting all iwi around the nation will be discussed in detail at the Iwi Leaders forum in Waitangi this year hosted by Te Runanga-A-iwi o Ngapuhi, Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua and Te Runanga o Whaingaroa.

Te Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi will lead the korero to seek a position on where this all sits with the National government when it comes to issues of importance to Maori and policy making. These are some of the major topics of discussion on the agenda.

Ngapuhi’s Waitangi Tribunal claims will be outlined by Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi Chairperson Raniera Tau while Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims in general and what the future holds will be examined in detail by Tainui chairman Tukuroirangi Morgan.

Discussions on Private and Public Sector Joint ventures and Economic Development will be led by Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu, while changes to the Resource Management Act by Government and pathways which may be able to help fast track these changes will be presented by Paul Majurey.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi Chairperson Raniera Tau says “the outcomes of this event will give iwi chairs some valuable information to work on with Government.”

Prime Minister John Key and senior Ministers are expected to attend a briefing following the event where they will be presented with the conclusions of the forum.

ENDS

© Scoop Media