14 Aug 2018

Leaders say Little's proposal gives fresh hope to hapū

3:23 pm on 14 August 2018

Hapū in Northland say they have fresh hopes of a fair resolution to their Treaty claims after meetings with Andrew Little at the weekend.

No caption

Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams

The Treaty Negotiations Minister presented a new negotiations model to hapū across the north in a series of hui from Friday to Sunday.

Four Ngāpuhi leaders have been meeting with Mr Little since March to resolve the row over who represents the hapū, and who should negotiate a settlement.

Leaders of the major hapū have released a statement saying the proposal could help build trust and confidence.

Clinton Dearlove and Piripi Moore from Hokianga, along with Moana Tuwhare and Hinerangi Himiona from Kaikohe-Wainate say their hapū are willing to work with the Minister on the first stage of his proposal.

They say that will establish regional and hapū representation and empower hapū in six regional groupings top control key decisions about the way forward.

The hapū speakers say several hapū have invited the Minister and his team to meet with them in the next few weeks and discuss possible solutions.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs