Ngati Hine sad over 'bullying'

By RUTH BERRY

Ngati Hine has accused Ngapuhi and the Waitangi Fisheries Commission of bullying and underhand tactics in an attempt to derail its bid to be recognised as an independent iwi.

It follows Ngapuhi runanga warnings the Government risks opening a Pandora's box of further litigation if it takes the step and changes the Maori Fisheries Bill.

A parliamentary committee, expected to release its report on Friday, has been examining the issue and is believed to favour the submissions from Northland-based Ngati Hine and the Rongomai Wahine people of Mahia. The moves are opposed by the commission.

Te Runanga o Ngati Hine deputy chairman Erima Henare said yesterday: "Ngati Hine is sad that Ngapuhi and Te Ohu Kai Moana [the commission] have to resort to bullying, insidious and underhand tactics in an attempt to derail the parliamentary process."

Ngati Hine had assumed the matter was sub judice until the committee reported back to the House.

"Instead we have seen a stream of press releases from other affected parties," Mr Henare said in a press release.

Mr Henare said Ngati Hine had spent eight years trying to get its status as an iwi recognised and the committee had been its last hope.

"Give us credit that the case that we put up was suffuciently persuasive enough to lead the committee to seriously consider our inclusion in the bill as an iwi."

Ngati Hine had no problems with the Ngapuhi nation and was a proud member of its collective strength, he said.

"But it reserves the right to develop itself in accordance with the wishes of its people."

Statistics New Zealand confirmed any Ngati Hine people who had listed their iwi as Ngati Hine in the Census, but then filled in "Northland" for where they lived, would have been recorded as Ngapuhi.

Ngati Hine who did not list the area in which they lived were recorded as members of a Ngati Hine hapu, of which there were a number around the country.

This helps explain why different population numbers for Ngati Hine in Northland are being cited.