Live Broadcast of Whanganui Hearing

Tuesday 28 August 2007

Iwi radio station AWA FM is live broadcasting the new Whanganui District Inquiry (Wai 903) in Whanganui this week.

Judge Wainwright, Presiding Officer on the Whanganui District Inquiry says “the live broadcast means more New Zealanders can be part of our nation’s history. All Tribunal hearings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to come”.

Whanganui based AWA FM is one of 21 iwi radio stations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Established for 17 years, AWA FM’s broadcast area extends from the mountain to the sea on 100FM Wanganui, 91.2 National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi, and 93.5FM Taumaranui.

Hearing week 2 runs from 27-31 August at the Whanganui racecourse.

Claimant group Ngā  Paerangi will lead a site visit up the Whanganui river on Wednesday to evidence referred to in the Whanganui Inquiry.  Significant sites will include a fortified pā  (Tunuhaere Pā ), a launching test site for waka (Kaimatira), walking tracks used by the old people, historic sites used for cultivations, and Te Wakatauranga one of three reserves out of the Tokomaru sale.

Claimant groups to give evidence are Ngā  Paerangi, Ngā  Poutamanui-a-Awa, Ngāti Hineoneone, Ngāti Pā moana, Ngāti Hine te Rā , Ngāti Ruwai and Ngāti Waikarapu, and Ngā  Wairiki. Author David Young will present his Southern Whanganui cluster traditional history report.  Issues to be raised include land loss, Native Land Court processes, compulsory acquisitions and purchases, and environmental policy and practice. 

The Whanganui lands inquiry 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 of the Waitotara River in the west.

Tangata whenua groups from all over the Whanganui inquiry district will present evidence for the Whanganui District Inquiry during 2007 and 2008.

To hear live coverage of the Whanganui District Inquiry visit AWA FM’s website at www.awa.irirangi.net