Many Treaty settlements were negotiated over a period of years, with dozens of lawyers, accountants, historians, researchers and bureaucrats involved at every turn.
But many iwi representatives didn't have special legal training: they were self-taught, and motivated by winning justice for them and their people.
Māori Television is broadcasting a documentary series looking at these people and telling their stories. It's called The Negotiators, it starts airing tonight, and one of the show's subjects, Alex Nathan, joins us to explain more.
A parliamentary vote was witnessed by around 300 iwi from the central North Island. Photo: RNZ / DOM THOMAS
