February 21, 2013
Lifeline for Ngāpuhi hearings
Ngapuhi claimants are pushing on with preparations for the second stage hearings into their historic claims, even though there is still a cloud over funding.
The Crown Forest Rental Trust has changed its rules for funding Waitangi Tribunal hearings, and now requires all Te Paparahi ō Te Raki claimants to get approved client status.
Claimant lawyer Moana Tuwhare says it may take some time to get all the required approvals, so the government has agreed to fund the first two weeks of hearings.
However, because the money was not available for a deposit, the venue for the hearing was lost, and the tribunal is now looking for a suitable replacement that can cope with the between 600 and 1000 people expected to attend to opening weeks.
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