October 15th Solidarity - Remember the state terror raids

Saturday, 9th August 2008, NZ Herald

Calls from Maori activist Tame Iti for self-government arrangements for the Tuhoe tribe similar to those Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have in the UK have been backed by a leader likely to negotiate the tribe's Treaty settlement.

The Herald understands Tamati Kruger has been voted as one of three tribal negotiators with the Crown. Two others have been selected but are yet to formally accept the role.

Yesterday, Mr Kruger wouldn't confirm his appointment but said Mr Iti's view was "right on the mark".

"It's one of the things which has been consistent since the 1870s: Tuhoe's regard for their nationhood and their independence."

However, before formal negotiations proper began the iwi had to decide what specific arrangements of self-government it would like to see, Mr Kruger said.

He said nations had existed within nation-states for hundreds of years and while other iwi - for example, Te Atiawa or Ngati Toa in Wellington - might struggle to make a compelling argument for self-government because of the large number of non-Maori in their areas, Tuhoe's geographical isolation changed things.

Calls from Maori activist Tame Iti for self-government arrangements for the Tuhoe tribe similar to those Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have in the UK have been backed by a leader likely to negotiate the tribe's Treaty settlement.

The Herald understands Tamati Kruger has been voted as one of three tribal negotiators with the Crown. Two others have been selected but are yet to formally accept the role.

Yesterday, Mr Kruger wouldn't confirm his appointment but said Mr Iti's view was "right on the mark".

"It's one of the things which has been consistent since the 1870s: Tuhoe's regard for their nationhood and their independence."

However, before formal negotiations proper began the iwi had to decide what specific arrangements of self-government it would like to see, Mr Kruger said.

He said nations had existed within nation-states for hundreds of years and while other iwi - for example, Te Atiawa or Ngati Toa in Wellington - might struggle to make a compelling argument for self-government because of the large number of non-Maori in their areas, Tuhoe's geographical isolation changed things.