Ngapuhi factions move towards settlement

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said he was pleased with the good faith and commitment shown by Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitanga at a meeting on Friday.

After a history of disagreement Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitanga have met with the minister of Treaty negotiations and are ready to move forward towards achieving settlement for Ngapuhi.

The meeting between the three parties came after Tuhoronuku, the group with the Crown-recognised mandate to negotiate Ngapuhi's Treaty claims, and Te Kotahitanga, which opposes the Crown recognition of that mandate, held separate meetings with Minister Chris Finlayson last month.

Te Kotahitanga co-leader Pita Tipene said it was a positive meeting which allowed Te Kotahitanga and Tuhoronuku to discuss a number of issues relating to Maranga Mai including urban representation and kaumatua kuia representation, and issues which led to Tuhoronuku's non-attendance of three transition group meetings.

"All systems are go. The light is green and we're ready to move into the transition phase. After a hard talk we're ready to move forward on to the Maranga Mai pathway," Mr Tipene said.

Maranga Mai is a document which recommends a way forward from Ngapuhi. It was produced by an engagement group comprising the Crown, Te Kotahitanga and Tuhoronuku.

The report also led to the establishment of a transition group which is made up of three representatives from each group. The group is designed to transition the mandate to a new structure.

"I'm obviously feeling great. We had three meetings before Christmas but there was no Tuhoronuku so it's good we have someone to have a conversation with," he said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Finlayson said the minister was pleased both groups would be meeting in the near future, January 27, to work towards implementing a new structure for negotiations in accordance with Maranga Mai.

"The minister was pleased with the good faith and commitment shown by both groups on Friday and is confident that good progress can be made in coming weeks."

Hone Sadler, chairman of Tuhoronuku, did not respond to the Advocate's request for comment at edition time yesterday.