The Tribunal have today confirmed the remaining 2 days of the Ngātiwai Mandate hearing will be held in Wellington.
This is despite multiple requests from both The Ngāitwai Trust Board and Claimant counsels requesting that the final two days of hearings be brought back to Whangarei.
Chairman Haydn Edmonds says “It is disappointing that we have to travel to Wellington to complete this process. It was my preference and the claimants that the Tribunal return to Whangarei to complete this kaupapa.
“Traveling to Wellington may be too far for many, and that is disappointing that many will be unable to attend.
“We now find that we may have to deal with going to a rohe where they are still recovering the after effects of the recent earthquake and multiple after shocks.
“We are going to have to have a session with our kaumatua and whanau on how to DROP, COVER and HOLD.
“But in all seriousness, we didn’t want to have put our kaumatua through the stress of being in an area where they may have to deal with aftershocks from an earthquake. That just adds needless stress and trauma for our old people. However, they are all still determined to attend these hearings.”
Witnesses for cross-examination are to include:
- Kristen MacDonald, Tania McPherson and Nicola Gibbs for the Ngatiwai Trust Board
- Emily Owen and Tia Warbrick for the Crown
A timetable for the hearings will be posted when it becomes available.
Please click below for the full transcript of today’s announcement from the Waitangi Tribunal
Nga mihi.