allowed Treaty claims to follow and flourish
When Ngahiwi Tomoana, along with other claimant whānau, took over the Wai 262 claim from Māori legal academic guru Moana Jackson, he had no idea this piece of legal Māori history would consume his life for the next three decades.
The Wai 262 kaupapa began when a group of Māori activists challenged the Crown about the policies and laws that were taking away Māori control over taonga. In fact, the Wai 262 decision goes beyond the fauna and flora argument and establishes whakapapa to taonga and even Māori existence.
This week marks the 31st anniversary of that claim - one of the largest and most complex in the history of the Waitangi Tribunal, which was also the first 'whole of government' inquiry.
Link to article: The Wai 262 Claim established a foundation that allowed Treaty claims to follow and flourish - NZ Herald
