Elders step up to take Ngapuhi role

Kingi Taurua hopes a new council of elders will lead Ngapuhi and improve the iwi's well-being. Photo / File

A Northland kaumatua hopes a newly established council of elders will become the leadership group to unite Ngapuhi.

A hui of about 50 Ngapuhi leaders gathered at Te Tii Marae on Friday night to set up a panel of elders designed to be the "leading group" of Ngapuhi.

"The problem old people are having is that they are not being included in things. Ngapuhi face a lot of issues not only to do with land transactions," said Kingi Taurua.

"There is a need for our elders to address these kinds of problems, our people have no homes, these are just some issues Ngapuhi is facing. It's about Ngapuhi well-being."

Mr Taurua said the purpose of the council was to be an independent body of elders from hapu to act as Ngapuhi's leading group for important issues.

"I think we need to look at the council of elders as the leading group of Ngapuhi and all discussions must become part and parcel of this council of elders," he said. "Who better to do that than the old people. They've been through life, they are the only ones who can give advice on life."

The idea to set up the council of elders was sparked after Ngapuhi Runanga chairman Sonny Tau was allegedly caught with kukupa in his possession at Invercargill Airport on June 16.

"Secret" meetings were then allegedly held at the Ngapuhi Runanga to decided the fate of Mr Tau's position in the group. One hui also held without Mr Taurua's knowledge saw a delegation from the iwi head to the Ngai Tahu rohe to apologise to iwi for Mr Tau's alleged actions.

"Old people were being kept in the dark. Ngapuhi need to be inclusive of elders, not exclusive," said Mr Taurua.

He said the establishment of the council was well under way and there was overwhelming support from those who attended the hui.

"It's difficult to bring Ngapuhi together because they tend to drift into their own world and that is a big problem.

"There is hui, hui, hui, all over the place but no doey, doey, doey. The fact is it's a lot of talking and that's all."

Mr Taurua said another hui would be held in the next month to reach out to other hapu to get on board the council.

"They said let's have another hui so we can continue this doey, doey, doey."