10 Apr 2012

"Tribal parliament" eyed for Te Arawa

7:17 pm on 10 April 2012

Some members of the Te Arawa tribe are looking at the possibility of creating a "tribal parliament", says the chairperson of the Rotorua-based Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Toby Curtis.

Initially floated a few years ago, the concept gained momentum at the trust's annual meeting in March, and Mr Curtis says an organisation has been set up to investigate the details of setting up a single tribal body.

Development of such a superstructure will build on the work by a number of tribal groups in areas such as business, fisheries, sports and kapa haka.

If Te Arawa can set up a tribal parliament, it would help unify the tribe, benefit its people, and provide positive gains for descendants both in New Zealand and overseas.