Pair keen to keep leading Ngapuhi Treaty talks

Lawyer Moana Tuwhare, left, addresses the Tribunal in a previous Waitangi Tribunal hearing. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The acting chairman of Tuhoronuku, Sam Napia, hopes to continue leading Ngapuhi through its Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations.

At leadership elections on August 14, he will be a candidate for the job at Tuhoronuku, the group recognised by the Crown as having the mandate to negotiate the Treaty settlement for Ngapuhi.

Mr Napia took over as Tuhoronuku chairman in June after former chairman Sonny Tau stepped aside following allegations he had kukupa in his possession at Invercargill Airport on June 16.

Lawyer Moana Tuwhare became deputy chairwoman of the group.

Mr Napia said there was growing support of Tuhoronuku from Ngapuhi hapu with the number of hapu kaikorero (speakers) on board jumping from 47 to 69 following this year's hapu kaikorero elections. Although his leadership with Ms Tuwhare could not be solely credited for the increase in support, the two wanted to continue working together.

"People are seeing Tuhoronuku is reaching out to hapu who are not currently on board or perhaps even disaffected. I think they see the genuineness of that approach. It's not something dreamed up by me and Moana or not something Sonny himself wouldn't do."

Last night, a meeting was to be held in Waitangi among Ngapuhi leaders to establish a group to resolve differences in the iwi.

Mr Napia said Ms Tuwhare would attend the hui on behalf of Tuhoronuku. He said it was an example of the group reaching out to hapu.

"First, people want to know we are interested in their view before they will want to be persuaded of our view. If they ask questions, we'll respond. We are saying this group, whose kaupapa I am still a little bit unclear about, they are preaching Ngapuhi unity and that is the precise same message Tuhoronuku is keen on. It makes sense for us to go and listen."

Mr Napia and Ms Tuwhare met Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson last Friday for the first time since the pair took over leadership roles to discuss upcoming developments relating to the settlement, including the increase of support from hapu.

Mr Finlayson said the Ngapuhi settlement was a top priority for him and he aimed to have an agreement in principle reached by Ngapuhi and the Crown in the 2016 calendar year and a deed of settlement reached in 2017.

"This is in the best interest of Ngapuhi and Northland," he said. "I think if everyone does their bit and works hard [it will happen]."

Mr Finlayson said he was pleased to see hapu joining Tuhoronuku and said it showed people were changing their view.

"People are saying, 'We could go on scrapping or we could look around and see the benefits'."

Mr Napia said he hoped to continue leadership with Ms Tuwhare. Mr Finlayson said he was working well with the pair but it would be up to Tuhoronuku to make the decision.

Mr Napia did not know if Mr Tau would seek to regain the chairmanship. Mr Tau could not be reached for comment yesterday.