Tiriti o Waitangi

We have lawyers with whakapapa across Aotearoa assisting iwi, hapū and whānau with all legal matters relating to te Tiriti o Waitangi and kaupapa Māori more generally.

Our team has a fundamental grounding in te ao Māori, incorporating tikanga and contextual considerations into our legal and strategic advice to ensure the best outcome for our clients.  Our team understands the complex and changing legal landscape in this space.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a founding document for Aotearoa and our legal system, and traverses a number of our work areas in one way or another.  We work alongside clients ina range of matters including:

• Treaty Settlements – we can assist groups with direct negotiations with the Crown and advising on all commercial, property and environmental aspects of a settlement.
• Takutai Moana – our team has been involved in hearings across the country from start to finish.  We have been actively involved in engagement with the Crown and progressing orders for both customary marine title, wāhi tapu protections, and protected customary rights.
• Tiriti o Waitangi and Kaupapa Māori Disputes – we represent clients across various forums in relation to post-settlement issues, governance disputes and other matters.  Our lawyers have appeared in the Māori Land Court, Environment Court, District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as Tribunals.
• Waitangi Tribunal claims – we can support groups with historical claims, kaupapa inquiries and urgent applications to the Tribunal.

Our expertise and experience working in this space also means we are well-placed to facilitate hui and wānanga regarding kaupapa Māori, and are called on regularly to do so.  We have lawyers available to act as mediator, supporting parties through the resolution of disputes in a manner that is tika.