12 Sep 2019

Ngāti Hine needs to go through official channels for mandate funding - Little

10:49 am on 12 September 2019

Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says Northland's Ngāti Hine people may be eligible for funding for their mandate campaign if they go through the right channels.

Andrew Little

Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey

The iwi's nine hapū are among more than 70 who rejected a mandate last year for a deal to cover all Ngāpuhi.

The Ngapuhi sub-tribe is holding BBQs, cake-stalls and raffles to fund a road trip through New Zealand and Australia, seeking approval to negotiate its own Treaty settlement .

11 year old chef Rahiri Reihana and grandad at the mandate BBQ.

11 year old chef Rahiri Reihana and grandad at the mandate BBQ. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams

It says while the leaders of the failed Tuhoronuku mandate received $9 million for a similar exercise, Ngāti Hine hasn't had a cent.

But Andrew Little said that's because they haven't asked in the usual way.

Ngāti Hine is holding BBQs, cake-stalls and raffles to fund a road trip through New Zealand and Australia, seeking approval to negotiate its own Treaty settlement .

The Ngapuhi sub-tribe is holding BBQs, cake-stalls and raffles to fund a road trip through New Zealand and Australia, seeking approval to negotiate its own Treaty settlement . Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams

Mr Little said all the other iwi who've been funded to seek a mandate have sat down with Crown officials and mapped out exactly how it will be done, and what's needed .

But all he's had from Ngāti Hine is a short letter seeking support.

Ngāti Hine needs to work through Te Arawhiti - the Ministry for Crown Māori Relations, he said.

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