The Ngapuhi Approach to Grievance and Land Claim Settlements Through the Waitangi Tribunal Process

Abstract

Ngāpuhi which is the largest Iwi within Aotearoa/New Zealand has been left as one of the last Iwi to have its grievances against the ‘Crown’ heard through the process of the Waitangi Tribunal. The approach that it will be taking to address its historical grievances and issues against the crown has not been taken by any other Iwi grouping who have already settled or will be settling into the future. It has chosen to address at its ‘Early Hearings’, the constitutional debate in regard to its fundamental historical right to maintaining and preserving its claim to its own sovereignty. The thrust for this contention is based on the ‘constitutional’ historical covenants and documents of He Whakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nū Tīreni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This will be the first time that these documents will come under intense scrutiny and will no doubt be one of the most important constitutional debates for this country.