Manawhenua Consultation Hui

Kia ora koutou,

On Thursday May 20, 2010 Te Hiku o Te Ika Collective Forum held the first Manawhenua Consultation hui hosted by Ngati Kuri at Waiora Marae. Despite the storm outside, Te Hiku negotiators were joined by iwi constituents from Te Aupouri and Ngati Kuri as they presented the latest Manawhenua Document.

The purpose of the Mana Whenua Process is to establish a safe and effective method by which each Iwi can express their respective Manawhenua. The Mana Whenua Process provides a clear structure for progressively working through the component parts of each Iwi Mana Whenua korero, which will facilitate findings and recommendations based on agreed criteria and transparent rationale. This will facilitate the production of mutually-agreeable “in principle” arrangements on how whenua will be held, shared or otherwise allocated among the Iwi.

Together, the Forum members and iwi were able to discuss the Manawhenua process. The whanau who turned up endorsed the direction of the Manawhenua Process and expressed support for the document to be taken around to various marae around the rohe and to all constituents.

This is a huge a positive step forward for Te Hiku Iwi and we will be moving this presentation around the rohe with our next hui being hosted by Ngai Takoto. So watch this space for when the hui will be moving you way and invite your whanau and friends to participate with us.