A Ngati Hine spokesperson says she is disappointed the Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Christopher Finlayson, has questioned a Waitangi Tribunal decision to hold a hearing into the Ngapuhi settlement claim.
The decision follows strong criticism of the Government's handling of the settlement process from hapu groups, including the major subtribe Ngati Hine.
Willow-Jean Prime who is the chairperson of the Waikere Marae committee said the Minister refuses to accept he got it wrong.
She said she was disappointed that he questioned the Tribunal's decision rather than using it to address important settlement issues.
"I'm really disappointed that rather than seeking to address these key issues head-on which the tribunal has acknowledged, the Minister instead has sought to question that finding, saying that the tribunal is misguided and has not grasped what the Crown is trying to do."
