February 23, 2024
The Crown is testing Waitangi tribunal jurisdiction says Lady Moxon
A lead claimant to a Waitangi tribunal claim against disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority says the Crown are undermining the Waitangi Tribunal and Māori, fast tracking the repeal while parliament is in urgency next week.
Last Friday, a hearing was set for 29 February – 1st March with the tribunal for the Crown to give a response to the original claim, however Radio Waatea received documents implying the introduction of the repeal could occur as early as next Tuesday.
Lady Tūreiti Moxon confirms the documents and says the government are dismissing the Tribunal, the claim and te Tiriti.
“But you know, where’s the justice? Where’s the fairness? Where is the good faith that the crown should be showing their treaty partner, let alone showing to the Waitangi tribunal? And the worst of it is, is that the Waitangi Tribunal in the directions actually asked the crown to give them an indication of when they intended to do this. And all the crown came back with was between now and the 8th (March),” she says
Lady Tureiti Moxon says she has sought an urgent judicial conference with the judge today for the purpose of seeking confirmation of a date they will present the repeal, how the crown intends to replace Te Aka Whai Ora and directions forward.