May 23, 2024
Ruanui cries foul as legal funding choked
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Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui is crying foul over a decision by cabinet to freeze funding for those seeking recognition of their rights under the crucial Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011.
Spokesperson Rachel Arnott says it has been advised the Takutai Moana Financial Assistance Scheme administered by Te Arawhi will have just $12 million for the next fiscal year.
There are about 300 applications covering the whole coast of Aotearoa which need t go through the High Court process set out in the legislation introduced by National in 2011.
Ms Arnott says all South Taranaki applications, which were set for hearing in February 2025, were in peril of not proceeding.
She says it appears the Crown has decided to breach both the law and its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.