Government to start negotiations with Ngapuhi

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson. Photo supplied.

The Government has signed an agreement to begin formal negotiations with Ngapuhi before the Waitangi Tribunal reports back on its inquiry into recognising the mandate of Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said he was confident 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 work to be done."

He said he was making the announcement on the 20th anniversary of the signing of Tainui's Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Crown - the first settlement.

"Tainui provides an excellent example of just what an iwi can achieve for its people post-settlement," he said.

Mr Finlayson appeared to offer to conduct some of the negotiations with separate hapu, saying while he could not predetermine what a final settlement would look like, "it could include hapu-specific redress."

"The outcome depends on the interests and aspirations of Ngapuhi themselves."

The negotiations have been delayed by a standoff between Tuhoronuku IMA and a group of hapu, Kotahitanga, who are contesting the mandate.

But whatever recommendations the tribunal makes on the matter, they won't be binding.
Mr Finlayson said the North was one of the most economically deprived regions in in New Zealand.

"We know that more Ngapuhi live outside their rohe than within it because of the lack of opportunity there."

Terms of negotiation set out the rules of engagement for the settlement negotiations, and the parties' position on some issues.