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A Rangatira (Chief) Ruwhiu Honihana Kopa Kuri from Otaua, Hokianga NZ submitted an requisition in 1954 to the Kaikohe Council (local government) to tarseal there settlement roads, conditions of the roads were extremely bad back in those days ,however a little settlement waits, half a century later!

From 1954, 63 years ago and up until now December 2017 there has been no work done on the roads by the Kaikohe Council in Otaua, people are still driving on shingle roads with big potholes.

The Rangatira (Chief) Tau Kopa the son of Rangatira (Chief) Ruwhiu Honihana Kopa Kuri decided to complete the request of his father made in 1954 against the Kaikohe council and actioned a petition gaining over 500 names to submit against the Council to disengage their settlement to fully disengage for separate development.

In 2015 Rangatira (Chief) Tau Kopa found a solution to disengaging Otaua Community for separate development from the council through Sovereign Title. Sovereign Title (MANA WHENUA) entitles the Hapu to operate and trade entirely under "Te Whakaputanga Kara". The Whakaputanga Kara is the 1st constituted flag of Aotearoa (NZ) recognised worldwide from 1835 to this present day 2017 and the "Whakaputanga Kara" has never been extinguished.

This document is one of many signatures signed against the Kaikohe District Council; - for comments email us at: info@internationalmaoriculturalcentre.org