Teraki

The Waitangi Tribunal has reported back on one of the largest claims ever heard - a document described as groundbreaking, and pivotal for Maori in Te Tai Tokerau. Some of the evidence was presented at hearings more than a decade ago - and the report is more than 18 hundred pages long. It says the Crown repeatedly overstepped its authority to govern, leading to a widespread erosion of rangatiratanga, warfare, extensive landloss and and severe and lasting prejudice. It also states William Hobson's proclamations of sovereignty, and the Constitution Act, were some of the most severe treaty breaches. And there are now major implications for Ngapuhi's ongoing treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown. Samantha Olley reports