Official results released by the Independent Returning Officer of Electionz.com confirmed that “The majority (being 95.69%) of valid votes cast on the resolution voted YES/ĀE.”

The resolution – The Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust is mandated to represent Whanganui Land Settlement in direct negotiations with the Crown for the comprehensive settlement of all historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Whanganui Land Settlement.

Over a five week voting period from 25 January 2017, WLSNT carried out ten mandate hui throughout Aotearoa, beginning with four at home. The mandate hui were advertised extensively across a range of media channels including Newspapers, Radio, website and Facebook.

Chairperson of WLSNT, Ken Mair said, “This is a tremendous vote of confidence from our people. We are humbled by the overwhelming response and reminded of all our tūpuna, both recent and beyond, who fought the hard fight to lighten our burden. We will certainly endeavour to hoe the waka with the same vigour, maintaining those same values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga and whakarauhītanga, among others.”

WLSNT Project Manager, Tracey Waitokia added, “I am pleased with the result. I’m also appreciative and honoured that our people have given us their support. Their direction and guidance is important in these next stages, and we are committed to be transparent and communicate effectively at all levels, including with those who did not support the mandate.”