Waitangi Tribunal
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Login to the extranet | Whanganui District Inquiry
The Whanganui lands inquiry, presided over by Judge Carrie Wainwright, encompasses over 50 claims covering an area stretching from the mouth of the Whanganui River to just north of Taumarunui. It also takes in lands around the Whangaehu River and Waiouru in the east and the catchment area of the Waitotara River in the west. Major issues in the inquiry include the early 'purchase' of Whanganui lands by the New Zealand company, the Native Land Court, and Crown purchasing of Māori land in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the vesting and management of land in the twentieth century, takings for public works and particularly scenery preservation, including the foundation of the Whanganui National Park, the main trunk railway line, the creation and management of native townships, and issues of authority and kaitiakitanga of the environment. The first block of hearings in the Whanganui lands inquiry took place in the lower reaches of the Whanganui River from August to September 2007. Tangata whenua evidence was presented to the Tribunal, along with expert evidence from technical witnesses. The second block of hearings were held in the central regions of the Whanganui River from March to May 2008. The third block of claimant hearings were held over three weeks from September to November 2008, in and around Taumarunui. The final claimant hearing week was held in March 2009 in Ohakune. Two Crown hearing weeks were held in May 2009, with additional days in June and August. In October 2009 there will be two weeks to hear the closing submissions on behalf of the claimants, and one week in December 2009 for the Crown to close its case. Hearing timetableClosing SubmissionsHearing dates and venues for closing submissions are as follows: Generic claimant closings: 5-9 October 2009, Taumarunui Athletics Club, Taumarunui Please contact the Tribunal’s registrar or the Whanganui inquiry facilitator for further information. |
