The Waitangi Tribunal recently released the first volume of its report covering the huge Central North Island (CNI) claim area. More than 120 claims from the Taupo, Kaingaroa and Rotorua inquiry districts were considered by the Tribunal, and the first part of its report, intended to be released progressively over the coming months, examines a grievance common to many of these: the Crown’s failure to respect and protect te tino rangatiratanga of the CNI hapu and iwi.
In the Tribunal’s view, the loss of authority which followed resulted in the social and economic marginalisation of Maori for generations to come. HistoryWorks Directors Bruce Stirling, David Armstrong and Dr Vincent O’Malley all presented multiple submissions to the CNI Tribunal on behalf of claimants. The report is available from the Waitangi Tribunal website. (See our links page). [Added 17 July 2007]