Waitangi Tribunal Report Finds Crown Breached Treaty, Should Return all Crown-Owned Land in Northern District to Māori
December 23, 2022
PHOTO: Waitangi Tribunal
A major Waitangi Tribunal report has found the Crown’s interactions with Māori between 1840 and 1900 breached the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and caused “severe and lasting prejudice”.
The tribunal is now calling on the Crown to apologise and acknowledge the treaty agreement it entered into with rangatira (chiefs) from Te Raki. The inquiry district includes Hokianga and most of Northland’s east coast, broadly covering Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Mangakāhia, Whāngārei, Mahurangi and the Gulf Islands.
It has recommended the Crown return all Crown-owned land in the district to Te Raki Māori, provide compensation and discuss with them how to establish appropriate constitutional processes and institutions to recognise and give effect to their rights.
A Government spokesperson on Friday said: “The Crown welcomes this report from the Tribunal. We will now carefully review and consider the Tribunal’s findings.”