Maori sovereignty on agenda for Otiria hui

MAORI GOVERNANCE: Economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan, who courted controversy this week with his first speech at Ratana Pa, will be among speakers discussing Maori sovereignty at Otiria Marae next week.

The issue of Ngapuhi sovereignty, after a landmark Waitangi Tribunal decision, will be under the spotlight at the marae near Moerewa with some high-profile New Zealanders leading the debate.

In November the Waitangi Tribunal ruled that Ngapuhi did not cede sovereignty to the Crown when its rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Kotahitanga o nga Hapu Ngapuhi instigated the inquiry and co-chairman Pita Tipene said the hapu and whanau of Tai Tokerau were elated because their case that sovereignty had never been ceded to the settler government had been vindicated.

Mr Tipene said the ruling meant that the way the country had been governed might need to be looked at and changed to give more autonomy to hapu. However, the Government has said nothing will change.

A large gathering is expected at Otiria on Friday and Saturday when a strong line-up of keynote speakers will start a robust discussion and debate around He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence 1835) and the Treaty of Waitangi.

The keynote speakers will include Professor of History at AUT University Dr Paul Moon, economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan, lawyer Annette Sykes, lecturer in law at the University of Auckland Valmaine Toki, former MP and Tainui leader Tuku Morgan and lawyer Moana Jackson.

Te Kotahitanga has called the hui.

Dr Moon, a leading commentator on the treaty, maintains there is an erroneous belief that the Treaty of Waitangi is the foundation for New Zealand's system of government.

Moana Jackson, a lawyer specialising in Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional issues, is the chairwoman of the Independent Maori Constitutional Working Group and is a strong advocate of constitutional change and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Mr Morgan, at his first visit to Ratana Pa this week, set out two challenges to the Government.

After studying the treaty for five years, and writing a newly-released book on his work, he said Pakeha nearly "exterminated" Maori and needed to make good on the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi - including compulsory te reo in all primary schools.

Mr Tipene said that in the lead-up to the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, more light than heat was required with regard to the country's constitutional issues so that all New Zealanders were made aware and could contribute to the debate.

He said that would include a move by Prime Minister John Key to change New Zealand's national flag with a possible referendum being mooted for the 2017 elections.

"This is an opportune time to be discussing and debating the constitutional arrangements of our country as we lead into Waitangi Day," he said.

The hui at Otiria will start with a powhiri at 11am on Friday and the keynote speakers will begin soon after that.

Mr Tipene said the hui would be open to everyone - Pakeha in particular needed to not think they weren't invited.

"They're most welcome to attend, debate and discuss how we need to move forward as a nation."