Press Release
Ngati Porou Treaty Rights at risk in Community Commissioning Discussions
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There is growing concern across Ngāti Porou regarding processes that appear to redefine Treaty relationships through commissioning and provider frameworks without broad hapū mandate or informed consent.
Our people are asking important questions:
• Who holds the authority to speak on behalf of hapū?
• What protections exist for mana motuhake?
• How are decisions being tested, scrutinised, and understood before commitments are made?
These are not small matters. They are intergenerational matters.
The Ngāti Porou Treaty Settlement was hard fought and carefully negotiated to recognise the enduring relationship between Ngāti Porou, our hapū, and the Crown. It was never intended to diminish hapū authority, replace direct Crown obligations, or reduce our rights and aspirations to contractual provider arrangements.
Our settlement represents generations of advocacy, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting the mana, whenua, and future of our people. Any proposal or framework that may alter, dilute, or reinterpret those relationships requires careful scrutiny, proper due diligence, and informed engagement with hapu and whānau.
Ngāti Porou supports genuine partnership and improved outcomes for whanau — but not at the cost of diminishing inherent rights, constitutional relationships, or the mana of our hapū.
As part ofthe ongoing due diligence process being undertaken by Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou, representatives met yesterday with the Tairāwhiti Community Commissioning Working Group funded through Manaaki Tairāwhiti.
The purpose of the meeting was to better understand the scope, intent, structure, and implications of current commissioning discussions and proposals impacting Ngāti Porou hapu, whānau and communities.
These conversations form part of a wider process of information gathering, legal consideration, and engagement to ensure our Board, hapū, providers, and whānau are fully informed before any decisions or positions are taken.
A number of important concerns continue to be raised regarding mandate, Treaty relationships, mana motuhake, provider participation, and the need for free, prior and informed consent in all processes affecting our people.
Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou remains committed to ensuring these matters are approached carefully, transparently, and with the interests of whānau and hapū at the centre.
Hapu engagement remains critical as we move toward upcoming hui-a-iwi (Community Engagement Hui) on the 6th of June and Crown discussions in June.
Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou
All Press Enquiries to:
Keita Kohere
kkohere@tronp.org.nz
021 1573336
