Leaders of opposing factions in the Ngāpuhi settlement stand-off are meeting the Treaty Negotiations Minister today in Wellington.
Sonny Tau. Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
Andrew Litte has called together Sonny Tau and Hone Sadler, from the mandated authority Tuhoronuku, and the leaders of the hapu collective Te Kotahitanga - Pita Tipene and Rudy Taylor.
It's the first time the four leaders have sat down for talks about the mandate rift that's caused bitter division in Ngapuhi for seven years.
But Te Kotahitanga's co-chair Pita Tipene says it almost didn't happen because the Minister asked the leaders not to publicise the meeting.
He said he could not agree to that because he takes his instructions from the hapu - and needed their approval to go.
Mr Tipene said a Te Kotahitanga hui last week authorised the meeting on condition that any decision must come back to the people.