The Mandate

10. Background

In March 2007, Tapuika Iwi Authority undertook comprehensive meetings with their people to update them on discussions with OTS and to discuss negotiation issues. Those hui were advertised to the same standard as mandating hui, including in the NZ Herald, the Dominion Post and the Christchurch Press.
A copy of the advertisement is attached at Appendix One.

Hui were held both within and external to the Takapu o Tapuika in areas where significant numbers of members are located, including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The purpose of each Hui was to provide information to iwi members on progress towards settlement of Tapuika’s historical grievances and to seek from the claimant group (as described in Section 2 & 2.1) confirmation of the preferred models for large natural groupings to enter into direct negotiations with the Crown:

Each Hui without exception unanimously preferred the Rongowhakata Model of large natural groupings.

Additionally all Hui were advertised prior to each Hui on the Tapuika website www.tapuika.iwi.nz A presentation was made by the Iwi Authority at each hui which covered:
- the purpose of the hui;
- a summary of Tapuika’s historical claims;
- the claim area
- the aim of negotiations and the scope of proposed settlement, i.e., comprehensive settlement of all the claimant group’s historical claims;
- the Crown’s requirements to enter direct negotiation
- models of large natural groupings
- the identity and role of the body seeking mandate;
- discussion
- how tribal members who are not currently on the tribal register can enrol

10.1 Mandate
Tapuika Iwi Authority believe that they are the mandated body to represent Tapuika Iwi and to enter into negotiations with the Crown for the comprehensive settlement of Tapuika’s historical Treaty claims based on the following;
• presented Tapuika claim (WAI 615) to the Central North Island Waitangi Tribunal District Enquiry in 2005
• Claims Information sharing Hui with Tapuika members residing within the Takapu and in the main cities (March - April 2007)
• annual renewal of mandate through Annual General Meetings