Story: Māori Land Court – Te Kōti Whenua

The line of guests extends out the door of Waiwhetū marae, Lower Hutt, during this May 1993 hui to discuss Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993. The legislation was first introduced to Parliament in 1978, then withdrawn pending the findings of the McCarthy Commission (which looked into the structure and operation of the Māori Land Court and Māori Appellate Court), and reintroduced in 1987. At this hui, its aim was described as to ensure the retention of Māori land in Māori ownership.