LISTEN:<\/strong> Waitangi Day with RNZ’s Julian Wilcox and M\u0101ni Dunlop<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nLawyer for the original claim Natalie Coates had said the w\u0101hine had much support behind them from others at the time it was presented in person 28 years ago.<\/p>\n
The claim was triggered by the removal of Dame Mira Szaszy from the shortlist of appointees to the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission.<\/p>\n
The inquiry will examine the inherent mana and iho of ng\u0101 w\u0101hine M\u0101ori; the systemic discrimination, deprivation and inequities experienced by w\u0101hine M\u0101ori; and the extent to which the Crown’s conduct in this respect had been, and is, Treaty non-compliant.<\/p>\n
Hineahuone was truly present at Turner centre in Kerikeri as claimants, their lawyers, and wh\u0101nau packed into the room to begin the first pre-hearing of the inquiry.<\/p>\n
First to give evidence<\/strong>
\nOne of the original claimants, Ripeka Evans, who also put in a claim on behalf of the hap\u016b and iwi of Te Tai Tokerau alongside Dr Papaarangi Reid, was first to give evidence yesterday.<\/p>\nFighting back tears, she urged the tribunal to complete the claim in her lifetime – something that some of the original claimants were unable to witness. She said it would be remiss of her to not acknowledge how special this moment was.<\/p>\n
After many joined her in acknowledging the significance of the beginning of these hearings, Evans told the tribunal and a packed public gallery – it was “time for business”.<\/p>\n
She emphasised the inherent power, authority and status of w\u0101hine in te ao M\u0101ori and the role of her t\u012bpuna who signed the Treaty of Waitangi, who she called the founding mothers.<\/p>\n
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