The government has offered funding to hapu opposed to the Tuhoronuku mandate in a bid to resolve conflict over the Ngapuhi Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
A number of substantial hapu have long disputed the right of the board, known as Tuhoronuku to negotiate on their behalf, and their objections were recently endorsed by the Waitangi Tribunal.
Hapu alliance Te Kotahitanga has suggested to Minister for Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson that they hold a series of intensive hui over the next two months with Tuhoronuku and the Crown, with the aim of sorting out their differences by next Waitangi Day.
Mr Finlayson said in a letter to the hapu alliance the hapu approach was helpful and constructive, and the Crown was willing to make $106,000 available to fund the engagement work.