Ngapuhi looking for jobs, unity, housing

Jobs, tribal unity and housing are the most important issues facing Ngāpuhi, the biggest iwi of Aotearoa, according to a new Horizon Research survey.

It also finds that that Ngāpuhi overwhelmingly hope that the coming Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlement will provide education support, improved health, the creation of new jobs and unity.

The full Horizon Research survey report can be found here on the Tūhoronuku website at tuhoronuku.com.

The survey was commissioned by Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku, the entity mandated by Ngāpuhi in 2011 to begin direct negotiations with the Government to settle all historical Crown breaches and grievances against Ngāpuhi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ngāpuhi, by far the biggest iwi in Aotearoa, will be the last of the big Treaty settlements. The Government has said it hopes to have Ngāpuhi settlement negotiations completed by the end of 2014.

The Horizon Research survey, conducted during February this year, is a follow up of the survey held in 2011.

Sonny Tau, interim Chairman of Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku said: “The big change over this period is that employment has become the biggest issue facing Ngāpuhi today, and an issue our people hope will be addressed by settlement.

“This outcome reflects the high and growing unemployment rates in Northland, Auckland and nationally. For Ngāpuhi and Māori youth in the North, unemployment is now at crisis levels, with 29% without work.

“The good news is Ngāpuhi organisations and companies, under the umbrella of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi, are already one of the biggest employers in the Far North.

“Post-settlement Ngāi Tahu companies now provide approximately 600 jobs, and we would expect Ngāpuhi companies also to be providing hundreds more employment opportunities in the North following settlement.

“The survey also found that Ngāpuhi want unity. This was a key theme throughout the survey. The survey report quotes one respondent who said ‘keeping together as a tribe is vital to ensure resources and energy are all focused on engaging with the Crown.

“Not surprisingly, the survey found that an overwhelming number of Ngāpuhi (86%) know who their hapū are, but two-thirds of these are not involved in hapū activities, especially those living outside the Rohe.

“Ngāpuhi are clear about how they believe their hapū and marae will benefit from settlement: marae self-sustainability, ownership of whenua and kaitiakitanga of resources are all priorities.

“The survey report says Ngāpuhi are concerned that the resources of settlement must be well managed for Ngāpuhi as a whole.”

Mr Tau said Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku, at the time of seeking mandate, gave their commitment that they would continue to communicate with Ngāpuhi throughout the settlement process.

“This Horizon Research survey is part of that communication. It is important that we have this up-to-date feed-back on what Ngāpuhi are thinking, and we thank all those who participated. This survey helps inform us as we continue on the settlement journey, and when we start negotiating with the Crown.”

About the Horizon Research survey:

It was conducted during February 2013. Members of the Horizon Research Māori Panel who had identified their Iwi as Ngāpuhi were invited to take part. 250 Ngāpuhi completed the survey, giving a margin of error of 6.3%, but is effectively 5.1% on the ratings of benefits because of the high polarisation of answers.

The sample is weighted by gender, age and personal income to match the Ngāpuhi population demographics at the 2006 Census.

Respondents came from: Northland (58); Auckland (100); Waikato (21); Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau (16); Hawkes Bay (5); Manawatu-Whanganui (4); Wellington (17); Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman (7); Westland (1); Canterbury (8); Otago (4); Southland (3); Ngāpuhi living overseas (6).

About Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku:

 Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku represents all Ngāpuhi, no matter where they live.

 Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku is an independent sub-committee of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi.

 In September 2011 Ngāpuhi voted overwhelmingly (76% of those who voted) to give their mandate to Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku to negotiate directly with the Government to settle all historical Crown breaches and grievances against Ngāpuhi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.