Listen Now: 
A Waitangi Tribunal hearing on a claim over governance and management of Maori wardens this week could be lop-sided.
The New Zealand Maori Council is challenging proposed changes to the Maori Community Development Act that would remove its responsibility for warranting and overseeing Maori wardens.
It is also challenging the role Te Puni Kokiri and the New Zealand police have had in recent years in managing and training wardens.
Te Puni Kokiri says it is covering the expenses of crown witnesses, but not those put up by the council.
The council says it has no funds to bring people to Pipitea Marae for tomorrow’s hearing, or to pay the costs of the marae.
It will also ask why almost two thirds of the $9 million budgeted for the Maori wardens in recent has been spent on Te Puni Kokiri staff and overheads.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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