Taihape ki Kapiti District Inquiry

Wai 1510

Background

The Waitangi Tribunal has received a number of requests to inquire into Treaty claims in the Taihape, Rangitikei–Manawatu, and Kapiti Coast–Horowhenua areas.

On 9 December 2008, the then acting chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal, Judge CM Wainwright, appointed Judge Layne Harvey to begin preparations for an inquiry in the Taihape ki Kapiti region. She also appointed Professor Sir Hirini Moko Mead to assist at a consultative judicial conference.

Consultative Judicial Conferences

The Waitangi Tribunal holds consultative judicial conferences as the first step towards beginning an inquiry. The purpose of these conferences is to find out:

• Who are the main claimants.
• Who are their spokespersons.
• Which claimant groups have legal representation.
• How many claimants wish to to participate in a Tribunal inquiry.
• What kind of inquiry process would be appropriate for the region.
• What preparations claimants need to make to be ready for an inquiry.

If it is agreed to hold an inquiry, the Waitangi Tribunal also consults claimants on:

• An appropriate name for the inquiry.
• The boundaries of the inquiry districts and region.
• A research programme to prepare for the inquiry.

The Tribunal is ready to assist the parties to progress the hearing and resolution of the claims if there is general consensus on holding an inquiry and on the kind of inquiry process preferred. A judicial conference will be convened in the district shortly to consult with the claimants and interested parties.

Existing Research

Existing research specifically developed for the Waitangi Tribunal is the Rangahau Whanui project on the Wellington district (Port Nicholson, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Rangitikei, and Manawatu) by Dr Robyn Anderson and Keith Pickens (August 1996). This incorporated some earlier work by Jane Luiten and Victoria Fallas.