Radio NZ Broadcast

Wednesday, 3 March 2010

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He Whakaputanga discussion
Insight, Sunday 8 November 2009: Ngapuhi, RadioNZ
Lois Williams looks at the primary grievance claims of the country's largest tribe: Ngapuhi

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New Zealand's Largest Iwi Moves Closer To Settlement

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Kaumatua and Kuia of Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu have expressed overwhelming support for Te Runanga‐a‐Iwi o Ngapuhi sponsored Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlement committee, Te Roopu o Tuhoronuku, to progress with a mandate strategy in settling Ngapuhi’s grievances against the Crown.

Up to 90 Kaumatua and Kuia attended a hui held by Te Roopu o Tuhoronuku on Friday the 26th of February to report back on the results of the second round of Road Show hui held with Ngapuhi around the nation and in Australia regarding the settlement of Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Roopu o Tuhoronuku member Raniera (Sonny) Tau says “ as promised we have reported back and followed the guidance and direction of Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu Kaumatua and Kuia as well as the thousands of Ngapuhi who have participated in the Road Show Hui and website discussion forums”; Mr Tau says “We have now been directed to continue on this journey to present a mandate strategy to Ngapuhi-nui‐tonu and seek the Mana from the Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu nation to progress with settling Ngapuhi’s grievances against the Crown. This will be done after the initial hearings on He Whakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni me Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.

At the hui Te Roopu o Tuhoronuku presented a proposed model to represent Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu in its settlement discussions with the Crown and suggested a timeframe within which those settlement discussions would commence. After lengthy and intense discussion Kuia and Kaumatua expressed strong support to move forward with presenting the strategy to Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu and taking another step closer to settling the grievances of Ngapuhi against the Crown.

Mr Tau says “Our Kaumatua and Kuia as well as Ngapuhi around the nation and in Australia have called for Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu to unite and progress with settling the grievances of Ngapuhi against the Crown to ensure a brighter more positive future for the generations to come. We need to move from grievance to independence that Ngapuhi‐nui‐tonu may become people of the future not people of the past.”

Te Runanga-A-Iwi o Ngapuhi Annual General Meeting 2009

Friday, 11 December 2009

Over $160.000.00 distributed to Takiwa, Taurahere and Hapu Development. Hapu agreeing to work more closely with Te Runanga-A-Iwi o Ngapuhi in the Treaty Settlements process and a rise in assets through a turbulent year of recession are just some highlights of Te Runanga-A-Iwi o Ngapuhi’s Annual Report this year.

Over 150 Ngapuhi descended onto Ngati Hine’s Motatau Marae on Saturday the 14th of November for the presentation of Te Runanga- A-Iwi o Ngapuhis Annual Report 2009. An impressive new whare tupuna filled with the descendants of Hineamaru welcomed the manuhiri who arrived by car and busload from around the motu.

Te Runanga-A-Iwi o Ngapuhi Chairman Sonny Tau was honored and humbled by the large turnout and wanted to thank Ngati Hine for “the expression of their concerns through their one speaker and announcement to the Whakaminenga that their duty for the rest of the day was to “manaaki o ratou manuhiri.” This expression of Tikanga tuturu is a lesson to all that were there and witnessed this occasion. Ngati Hine, tena koutou katoa. Mo nga kai, e hara mai tetahi ahua.”

Reports from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Teresa Te Pania-Ashton were tabled at the hui in which the performance of trustees of the board and the operational staff was outlined which showed major improvement and advances in a range of areas over the past year. Also presented at the hui were the Runanga subsidiary reports the Ngapuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC) presented by Chairman Sir John Goulter and Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services.

Robust discussion was carried out among those who attended in regards to the day to day operations of the Runanga, the challenges it faced in the year to date and how improvements would be made and implemented over the coming year.

In presenting the annual report of the NAHC an important note raised by Sir John Goulter was the fact that even through a tough year of recession, where many organisations had experienced serious slumps in investments and assets, it was in fact quite the opposite for Ngapuhi. Sir John Goulter says “While many other organisations suffered a loss the value of Ngapuhi’s assets had actually risen by 4%”. He says “This was an extraordinary achievement for the iwi”.

As well as improving the performance of the Runanga over the coming year, another high point of discussion was Treaty Settlements and a distinct call reverberated from hapu to work together with Te Runanga-A-Iwi o Ngapuhi to build a pathway forward. Mr Tau says it was “heartening to hear that Hapu that are not already working alongside Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi pledge to work together to ensure we have a robust Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims settlement process and we would like to begin those discussions as soon as possible.”

Another important issue was encouragement from the Chairman and CEO for all Hapu members to realise the value and importance of their input in all issues to do with Ngapuhi, especially in the election of their representatives for the Board. Mr Tau says “confidence in our trustees is essential and we want to be 100 percent certain that anyone who claims to speak on behalf of Hapu have the mandate to do so, this can only be achieved by Hapu members taking the initiative and becoming involved in discussions regarding the Runanga, their iwi and Treaty Settlement korero. To help encourage more participation the Runanga will look into a more robust and effective manner of distributing and disseminating information of importance to its people.

Sonny Tau says “We will give due consideration to the issues raised, especially the Iwi Social Services operations. The iwi supported keeping our iwi social services going but with better controls around the operational spend and measured outcomes for what is funded from the Crown. We do understand that this is indeed a Government responsibility and will endeavor to press them for adequate funding to meet the outcomes prescribed in their contracts.”

Apple Mac Laptop Winner

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Congratulations Paratene Pehi

We would like to congratulate the winner of our Tuhoronuku Ngapuhi Online Survey Competition Paratene Pehi from Kerikeri. Paratene and his whanau are now the proud owners of a brand new Apple Mac Laptop as a result of their efforts to be involved and informed in issues to do with Ngapuhi. Mr Pehi was presented with his prize by Runanga Chairman Sonny Tau in Kaikohe. Mr Pehi thanked the Runanga for his taonga “I am proud to be Ngapuhi and you can be rest assured me this computer will be put to good use”

Chairman of Ngapuhi Commercial Arm Knighted

Monday, 12 October 2009

Media Release

22 August 2009

Business leader and Ngapuhi commercial arm chairman, John Goulter, was recently invested as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Northland-based Sir John, who chairs the Ngapuhi Asset Holding Company, was one of 24 women and 48 men who were formally installed as dames and knights at a recent ceremony in Wellington.

Sir John was previously honoured in 2003 as a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community.

He has a distinguished business career spanning almost 50 years.

This includes 15 as the inaugural chief executive and then managing director of Auckland International Airport Limited. He has chaired a number of New Zealand organisations, including the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and United Carriers Group in Whangarei.

Sir John is currently Chair of the NZ Business and Parliament Trust, Paraparaumu Airport and a director of TVNZ and the Reserve Bank.

Chairman of Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi, Raniera (Sonny) Tau, congratulated Sir John on his investiture. He said Ngapuhi was fortunate to have his commercial and business skills on their team.

“Ngapuhi have worked with Sir John for more than a year now. His contribution to the development of the Runanga’s subsidiary companies is significant.

“He brings both his business skills and a real affinity for Ngapuhi to everything he does on our behalf.”

“Sir John started his management career in Taitokerau with Ceramco. Now he has come home to work with Ngapuhi and guide our commercial arm through a consolidation phase during a time of deep economic recession. We are grateful for his contribution and hope we can keep him engaged for some years to come.”

ENDS

For further information contact

Taiha Molyneux
Mobile - 0275 230 701
Direct – 09 401 5535
Email - taiha.molyneux@Ngapuhi.iwi.nz

Maori Television

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Summary of Kaumatua and Kuia Hui

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Saturday 25th July 2009

The Hui held at Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi on Saturday 25th of July 2009 was attended by approximately 80 Ngapuhi, the majority, Kaumtaua and Kuia. Two presentations as well as critical information was provided to the Kaumatua and Kuia that attended, briefing them on what has happened to date in discussions with the Ngapuhi nation regarding Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi chairperson and member of Te Roopu o Tuhoronuku, Raniera (Sonny) Tau provided a summary of the following points beginning with the 2008 AGM.

Tuhoe

Tamati Kruger of Te Kotahi a Tuhoe stood and shared the experiences of Tuhoe in its settlement process with those at the Hui. The presentation covered points that have been promoted throughout this process especially regarding information around claimants – the claimants role in negotiations, the role of lawyers, the crown being a broken mechanism, he also explained this is an issue that may never be rectified which needs to be accepted in order to make any progression or gains for the iwi concerned. These were valuable points and learning curves made by someone NOT Ngapuhi, who has been through a settlement process and is still engaged with the Crown to negotiate their specific settlement.

Resolution

The following resolution was unanimously carried:

Motini Me haere Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi ki te korero ki a Ngapuhi ki te patai, Ma wai e pupuri i te mana hei whakatau i nga kereme o Ngapuhi.

Motion

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi is to continue discussions with the Ngapuhi nation and ask who they want to hold the mandate in settling Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Moved: Pita Tipene

Tautoko/Seconded: Rangi Thompson

In favour: Carried unanimously

Ngapuhi comes closer to Settlement

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Media Release

28 July 2009

Kaumatua and Kuia of Ngapuhi-nui-tonu have directed Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi to continue facilitating discussion amoung the Ngapuhi nation and ask who they want to hold the mandate when representing Ngapuhi in settling Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi chairperson Raniera (Sonny) Tau says “we are elated with the unanimous support gained at a hui on Saturday from what was one of the largest gatherings of Ngapuhi-nui-tonu Kuia and Kaumatua at one time in over ten years to move forward with discussions on this important kaupapa.”

Tamati Kruger of Te Kotahi a Tuhoe shared the experiences of Tuhoe in its journey to reach settlement with over 70 Kaumatua and Kuia who attended the hui in Kaikohe. Mr Kruger explained the journey to reaching settlement was long and tumultuous however necessary and that the descendants of Tuhoe could now realistically look forward to a brighter more independent future as a result of pushing forward with the settlement of Tuhoe claims.

Raniera (Sonny) Tau says the information Tamati shared with the Kuia and Kaumatua of Ngapuhi was essential in helping them understand the ups and downs of settling Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mr Tau says “keeping people informed, listening to what the people have to say and valuing the talent and knowledge within the iwi was a key part of the Tuhoe process, and this is the process we have followed and will continue to do so.”

Ngapuhi Hapu will meet over the next few months to discuss leadership amongst themselves and in September another round of Road Shows will be held to ask the Ngapuhi Nation who they want to lead them in settling Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Hapu are encouraged to get in touch with the Runanga to further discuss, how these hui can be held, and the outcomes desired by the Ngapuhi Nation.

ENDS

For further information contact

Communications Coordinator
Taiha Molyneux
Mobile - 0275 230 701
Direct – 09 401 5535
Email - taiha.molyneux@Ngapuhi.iwi.nz

Roadshows April and May 2009

Friday, 17 July 2009

Between April and May 2009, 13 Ngapuhi Road Show hui were held throughout Aotearoa and one in Australia. Raniera (Sonny) Tau and Erima Henare introduced and lead the presentations, supported by legal counsel, Greg Davis.

The inclusion of a lawyer in this initial phase was necessary to keep all parties involved, particularly the Runanga, safe from potential legal challenges that inevitably accompany these processes.

In total, thirteen Hui were held, with an overall attendance of 828 people, excluding Runanga representation.

The road shows provided an opportunity to share information with the Ngapuhi nation and hear those views first hand.

At all hui, presenters clarified Te Runanga-A-Iwi-O Ngapuhi was not in direct negotiations with the crown, it is being used as a vehicle to engage in discussion with the Ngapuhi nation matters concerning hapu representation in the settlement process of Crown breaches against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Christchurch and Wellington Hui participants were younger in age, providing a robust discussion particularly around representation, being kept informed and post settlement benefits. Wellington participants requested the establishment of a Taurahere.

The main question posed at all hui:

How do you want to be represented? Followed by the rationale, with up to 300 hapu, how do we organise ourselves;

Consistent messages presented at all hui were:

• Ngati Hine will enter direct negotiations either on their own or with those who want to;
• Ngati Hine also confirmed, when they enter negotiations, they will withdraw their claims from the Waitangi Tribunal;
• Ngati Rehia will enter direct negotiations;
• The Runanga is funding these hui from Ngapuhi fishing assets;
• The Runanga is not seeking a Deed of Mandate at these hui;
• The Runanga is not after your land;
• Hapu representation needs to be discussed;
• This is not about the Runanga settling – this is an all of Ngapuhi approach to settling Ngapuhi grievances with the Crown for the benefit of all Ngapuhi;
• Settlement will be between the Crown and Ngapuhi - a collective of hapu – supported and underwritten by the Runanga;
• Any settlement with the Crown will be a settlement on behalf of all Ngapuhi, not only Waitangi Tribunal Claimants;
• A comprehensive iwi settlement of hapu will not interfere with the rights of hapu;
• Te Runanga a-Iwi-o Ngapuhi will be supporting this process administratively - there is no need to form a new entity;
• The Runanga is not seeking to receive or manage settlement assets. It is too early to discuss any possible future asset entity, but what is certain is that it is Ngapuhi who will determine the post-settlement structure;
• All Ngapuhi have a say in this process whether they are claimants or not;
• This process is about beginning the discussion between Ngapuhi;
• The Runanga will be back for further discussion with Ngapuhi on progressing this kaupapa.

Consistent outcomes from all hui were:

• There is a wide level of support throughout Ngapuhi for settlement to proceed;
• People want to be kept informed;
• By and large Ngapuhi support moving to settlement, however Taitamariki who attended amplified that call;
• There is support for the Runanga to get on with it;
• There is support for the Runanga’s position to support the initial hearings scheduled in October on Te Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• A request for continued circulation of information on the settlement process as it progress.

Waikato Hui

Monday, 4 May 2009

Ngāpuhi living in the Waikato are invited to a hui on Wednesday to give their views on a proposed comprehensive Treaty of Waitangi settlement for Ngāpuhi.

By far the biggest iwi, with a large number living in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, this hui will be an important barometer for Ngāpuhi leadership. Only about 12 percent of the iwi live in the North, with the balance spread throughout Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere.

Ngāpuhi leader Sonny Tau said he wants to hear from Ngāpuhi living outside the rohe, to find out which direction whanau want to head.

"We particularly want our kuia and kaumātua to guide us."

"There are around 300 Ngāpuhi hapu, so the numbers are large. The 2006 Census had those affiliating to Ngāpuhi at 122,214 which was an 18 percent increase on the 2001 Census. So Ngāpuhi is growing, and growing fast"

"This journey began in the 1840s when Ngāpuhi chiefs signed the Treaty. Breaches occurred almost immediately. Our tupuna have been making claims to the Crown since that time. Many believe the next few years may bring these grievances to an end.

"We want to hear what Ngāpuhi in the Waikato think, and we welcome all to this hui."

Hui details:

Wednesday 6 May 6pm - 9pm
Kirikiriroa Marae, 138 Dey St, Hamilton East

ENDS

For further information contact
Taiha Molyneux, Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi
Mobile - 0275 230 701
Direct - 09 401 5535
Email - taiha.molyneux@Ngāpuhi.iwi.nz