Next steps

• Tūhoronuku is now preparing its Deed of Mandate application for submitting to the Crown.

• During this period, Tuhoronuku will continue to hui with Hapu, whanau and claimants and is participating in a working party to develop a process that enables Ngapuhi to negotiate a comprehensive settlement on behalf of Ngapuhi and claimants in Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry to have their issues heard before the Waitangi Tribunal (Stage 2 Hearings).

• Once the Deed of Mandate application is submitted, the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) will publicly advertise the Deed of Mandate application and hold a public submission process, seeking comments from interested parties.  Four weeks is the usual timeframe within which submissions are received.

• After reviewing any submissions, OTS, in consultation with Te Puni Kokiri, will then report to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and the Minister of Māori Affairs.  The Ministers will then decide whether to recognise the mandate on behalf of the Crown.