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Urban Ngāpuhi call on Tūhoronuku to support the Maranga Mai report

Representatives of Ngāpuhi living in Christchurch are today imploring all representatives of Tūhoronuku, the mandated authority for the Ngāpuhi Treaty of Waitangi claim, to support unreservedly the Maranga Mai report.

The representative for Ngāpuhi in Christchurch on Tūhoronuku, Erin Shanks, says the Maranga Mai report sets the pathway forward for Ngāpuhi to progress its claim. “The Maranga Mai consultation hui held in Christchurch in May had one of the biggest attendances during the consultation process. The Maranga Mai report took into account our concerns, particularly regarding urban representation, and we are now calling for that report to be supported unreservedly,” said Mr Shanks.

The call to support all recommendations in the Maranga Mai report has been led by Ngāpuhi kaumātua of Christchurch, including kaumātua Henare Edwards. “We came together in May, and we sent a submission to the draft Maranga Mai report. Our concerns were addressed in the final report and it is now time to progress the Ngāpuhi claim,” said Mr Edwards. “We support all recommendations in the report, and we encourage Ngāpuhi hapū, and other urban Ngāpuhi groups, to do the same.”

Tihi Puanaki, a doyenne of Ngāpuhi in Christchurch, says that Tūhoronuku representatives must make the right decision for the future of Ngāpuhi. “If Tūhoronuku representatives are not willing to do what is right, and support all recommendations in the Maranga Mai report, then our claim is put at risk. Support the report – get those who helped craft the report on to the proposed transition team, and then we can all look forward together as Ngāpuhi,” said Mrs Puanaki.

ENDS.

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