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Download AudioA far north iwi leader says a symposium on the WAI 262 Fauna and Flora claim is a chance to revive the flagging kaupapa.
The claim which grew to encompass Māori intellectual property issues was lodged 30 years ago by elders including Del Wihongi from Te Rarawa, Saana Murray from Ngāti Kuri and Tama Poata from Ngāti Porou.
Te Rarawa chair Haami Piripi says the report came out a decade ago, but there has been almost no action from Government.
Meanwhile the need for protection of Māori intellectual property has increased.
"Original claimants have died so we are revamping the claim and resetting it and this time we are not going to take no for an answer because it is too important and this time in our history is one of the few windows of opportunity where we would have the influence in the legislature to make a difference," Mr Piripi says.
Monday’s online seminar includes input from two lawyers involved in the original claim, Moana Jackson and Maui Solomon, Minister Nanaia Mahuta on why the claim still matters, and from scholars like Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Karaitiana Taiuru on the path ahead.
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