Examining Tino rangatiratanga in post-Treaty Settlement Aotearoa through the Matike Mai Reports

Intern: Mairangi Campbell, Victoria University of Wellington

Supervisors: Associate Professor Anaru Erueti, University of Auckland

This project examined claims that the Waitangi Tribunal has exceeded its original mandate by engaging with contemporary issues. By analysing Tribunal reports across its full history, the research focused on how the Tribunal has operated in practice over time. 

The findings show that the Tribunal has never been limited to historical fact-finding alone. From its earliest reports, it has also acted as a watchdog over government decision-making and a contributor to policy development, demonstrating that its contemporary work reflects long-standing institutional roles rather than a recent expansion of mandate.