Terms of Negotiation signed with Ngapuhi   22 May 2015

22 May 2015

Terms of Negotiation signed with Ngapuhi

The Crown and the Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority (Tuhoronuku IMA) have signed Terms of Negotiation and are ready to begin negotiating a Treaty settlement for the benefit of all Ngapuhi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Tuhoronuku IMA is the mandated representative of Ngapuhi, New Zealand’s largest iwi, for Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations.

"This is an important milestone for Ngapuhi,” Mr Finlayson said. “We can now begin genuine conversations with hapu about their specific concerns and work towards a settlement that will provide all Ngapuhi with a strong social and economic platform for the future.”

This announcement is particularly significant given that today also marks the 20th Anniversary of the signing of Tainui’s Treaty of Waitangi settlement.

“Tainui provides an excellent example of just what an iwi can achieve for its people post-settlement,” Mr Finlayson said.

The Terms of Negotiation set out the rules of engagement for the settlement negotiation, each party’s position on various issues and the broad scope of the negotiations.

“We cannot predetermine what final settlement will look like, however, it could include hapu-specific redress. The outcome depends on the interests and aspirations of Ngapuhi themselves,” Mr Finlayson said.

“Cultural redress is as important as financial redress but can take longer to negotiate as it requires identification of regional and hapu-specific interests as well as finding a way to balance these with the broad interests of all Ngapuhi.

“Tuhoronuku IMA has worked very hard to be inclusive and I urge all Ngapuhi hapu to step up and have their say in the settlement negotiations. I expect their leaders to continue to show generosity of spirit and make sure all can be involved.”

Mr Finlayson confirmed that the signing of Terms will not interfere with the current Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into the Crown’s decision to recognise Tuhoronuku IMA’s mandate.

“I remain confident that the decision to recognise the mandate was correct. I look forward to the Tribunal’s report and will carefully consider its views, but in the meantime there is important and urgent work to be done,” Mr Finlayson said.

“We know that the North is one of the most economically deprived regions in New Zealand. We know that more Ngapuhi live outside their rohe than within it because of the lack of opportunity there. We also know that Ngapuhi have already waited too long for redress.”

The Waitangi Tribunal’s Te Paparahi O Te Raki hearing will continue while negotiations with Ngapuhi are underway.

A copy of Terms of Negotiation will be available on website of the Office of Treaty Settlement,www.ots.govt.nz.

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