Popular live broadcast of Tribunal hearing in Whanganui

7 September 2007

The live broadcast of the Whanganui District Inquiry by iwi radio station AWA FM means more New Zealanders can be part of what is happening.

Judge Wainwright, Presiding Officer on the Whanganui District Inquiry says “Apparently whānau are tuning in both locally and overseas, and that's great”.

The live broadcast means that people can hear first hand from the claimants about important issues such as 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.

Iwi radio is a hit with Māori youth. Listeners have already used
U-Tube, texts and Bebo to chat about the hearing with friends and whānau in Aotearoa and overseas. Local students have joined the hearing to support teachers, parents, aunties and uncles.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Whanganui hearings. Week 3 of 14 runs from 10-14 September 2007 at Parikino Marae, Parikino. 

On Thursday, the Whanganui Tribunal panel will be taken on a site visit to see places of significance to claimant groups. The site visit includes a jet boat journey on the Whanganui River, and a bus tour to Koriniti and Hiruharama.

The Whanganui Tribunal panel for the Whanganui District Inquiry (Wai 903) are Judge Carrie Wainwright, Dr Angela Ballara,
Dr Ranginui Walker and Professor Wharehuia Milroy.

Claimant groups to give evidence the week 10-14 September 2007 are Ngāti Hinearo and Ngāti Tuera, and the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board.  Issues to be raised include Crown purchasing policy, land alienation, local government, education services, health services, and dealings with Crown and government agencies, both in the past and present.

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