Ngatiwai claimants are hoping an urgent hearing into the Crown's recognition of the Ngatiwai Trust Board's mandate will pause negotiations so whanau who want to be involved in the process can have a "serious talk".
The Waitangi Tribunal is holding an urgent hearing, starting tomorrow at Toll Stadium in Whangarei, on claims lodged by 10 groups who oppose the Government's decision to recognise Ngatiwai Trust Board's (NTB) mandate to negotiate claims on behalf of the iwi.
Claimant Huhana Lyndon said reaching this point was a "significant milestone" for hapu.
"[The Tribunal] recognise the fact that our evidence has demonstrated we have significant prejudice with the Crown's recognition of the NTB deed of mandate."
Ms Lyndon said some claimants, like herself and her whanau, would like negotiations to pause so hapu could have a serious korero about the future of the iwi and potential Treaty settlement.
Other hapu wanted to withdraw from the "flawed" mandate.