Newsletter |
Call for Tuhoe self-governanceSaturday, 9th August 2008, One News Maori activist Tame Iti's call for self-governance for Tuhoe has won the backing of the tribe's Treaty negotiator. Tamati Kruger says the argument will focus on Tuhoe's geographical isolation in the central North Island, and the form the self-governance would be similar to that of Scotland and Wales. He says as part of negotiations with the Crown, which began last month, Tuhoe will be asking the Crown for its own set of constitutional rules. Talking to the New Zealand Herald, Kruger said that nations had existed within nation-states for hundreds of years. The geographical isolation argument does distinguish Tuhoe from iwi based in urban centres and sharing their area with many non-Maori. The negotiations between Tuhoe and the Crown are the first to include a mandate for discussing the constitutional relationship, and Kruger says the Crown is well aware of the demand. He says the tribe has a plenary right to govern itself, and that self-governance is the best expression of democracy and civilisation. Kruger says that as New Zealand participated in two world wars to preserve its self governance, he expects the Crown to understand. Tuhoe gained notoriety last year after allegations emerged about supposed terrorist training camps in the Ureweras. Tuhoe members, including Tame Iti, were arrested and charged with firearms offences in October last year. They are due to appear in court next month. |