Resolution of legal issues stalling Crown Forestry Rental Trust funding has made cash again available for claimants in the Waitangi Tribunal's Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry.
The resumption of funding also enables retention of three Northland claimant resource centres which were expected to close this month.
CFRT funding director Rama Rewi told tribunal presiding officer Judge Craig Coxhead trustees had classified Te Waimate Taiamai Claims Alliance, Te Mana Motuhake Aa Rohe o Whangarei, and Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu Ngapuhi as approved clients and given the green light to their funding applications for hosting inquiry stage 2 hearings.
Trustees also approved funding for hosting stage 2 hearings for weeks 7-14 of the inquiry.
Trust staff would update the tribunal on funding for hearing weeks 15-21 later, Mr Rewi said.