A member of the Waitangi Tribunal hearing evidence about the Crown's conduct after the Rena grounding says he can understand why Motiti Island hapu and iwi were "feeling betrayed".
Sir Douglas Kidd made the comment yesterday on the last day of an urgent Waitangi Tribunal inquiry called to hear evidence from three groups of Motiti Island claimants who claim the Crown has breached its Treaty obligations after signing a " secret" deal with Rena's owners.
He made the comment in response to a statement from a Crown official that the rights of tangata whenua had been preserved under the agreement.
Sir Douglas said he was reminded of the ancient line "we should beware of Greeks bearing gifts".
"I can accept the negotiations were carried out in the context of total security and confidence but I would have thought the Crown should have been thinking ahead and thought about having talks with its Treaty partner, Motiti iwi, and sought their views before settling ... You can understand why they are feeling betrayed," he said .