Ngai Tahu wins bid to give evidence

The Waitangi Tribunal will let Ngai Tahu present evidence in the tribunal's northern South Island inquiry despite its $170 million "full and final" settlement with the Crown.

The decision overrides the opposition of some Te Tau Ihu iwi representatives, who said Ngai Tahu should not be heard as it had settled its tribunal claim in 1998.

Another week of hearings has been added to the claims process this month so the tribunal's northern South Island inquiry panel can hear Ngai Tahu witnesses.

Department for Courts spokesman Barry Ebert said the Waitangi Tribunal had discussed the issue with Te Tau Ihu iwi representatives and had decided that Ngai Tahu evidence should be heard in the northern South Island claim area.

At a judicial conference in August to discuss the issue, held as part of the hearings process at Montana Brancott winery, Te Atiawa representatives were outspoken in opposing Ngai Tahu being heard.

Te Atiawa lawyer Kathy Ertel said Ngai Tahu had not presented precise enough reasoning to be heard as part of the claims process for the inquiry, and held no more interest in the claim area than the public.

Te Tau Ihu iwi lawyers said Ngai Tahu was holding up the claims process in direct conflict with the tribunal's November 2000 directive aimed at streamlining and speeding up the claims process.

Ngai Tahu lawyer Chris Finlayson said the Waitangi Tribunal would run a risk if it did not hear all related information in the claims process.

Te Atiawa trustee Jane de Feu said it was disappointing that the tribunal was allowing Ngai Tahu to present its case.

"All we can do is listen to their case and cross examine their evidence now that the tribunal has made its decision.

"It is not a matter of agreeing with it or not, it is going to happen."

Ngai Tahu will give its evidence to the inquiry from October 13 to 17 at Omaka Marae in Marlborough.

- NZPA