Direct Treaty Negotiations101 historical Treaty claims against the Crown have been filed in the Waitangi Tribunal on behalf of Ngati Porou and its various whanau and hapu.
Claims can be progressed by:
- having claims heard by the tribunal and entering into negotiations to settle these claims using the Tribunal’s findings as a basis for negotiations
- achieving a mandate to enter into direct negotiations and moving directly into negotiations with the Crown, without first having the claims heard by the Tribunal.
In December 2006, the runanga – concerned about the time and cost involved in the process – began discussions with the Crown to explore the possibilities of direct negotiations. To gain approval from hapu, the runanga began a mandating process in 2007 with 14 information hui held nationwide to explain the direct negotiation process and a postal ballot was conducted for all adult tribal members registered on the runanga electoral roll. Mandate voting closed in November 2007 with the runanga gaining 92 percent approval to enter into direct negotiations with the Crown to settle all historic Ngati Porou Treaty claims.
In April 2008, the Crown gave its approval for the mandate that the runanga received to enter direct negotiations. This was a unique agreement recognising that the runanga would delegate to a sub-committee of 7 hapu appointed representatives and 3 runanga appointed representatives the oversight role for the treaty negotiations. The Crown has committed to concluding an agreement for a settlement package with Ngati Porou by 31 October 2008.
See Nga Korero o Te Wa or www.tehaeata.org.nz for the latest on the progress of the Treaty settlement negotiations.
To contribute to the Treaty settlement process (if you are 18 years old or over), you need to be registered on the Te Runanga o Ngati Porou database. Please see Ngati Porou Register for more information.
Frequently asked questionsSee below for a document that covers frequently asked questions on the negotiations process.
Frequently Asked Questions 
Associated readings
Below are links to key documents supporting the Treaty negotiation process.
Mandate to negotiations from runanga chairman - Letter From Chairman
Letter from Minister Burton - Letter From Minister Burton
Crown recognition of mandate letter - Mandate_Recognition
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