Fishing industry and Crown to be heard

Press, 10 February 1989, Page 3

Fishing industry and Crown to be heard

By

OLIVER RIDDELL,

in Wellington

The Waitangi Tribunal has decided to hear evidence from the Crown and the fishing industry on the Ngai Tahu fisheries claim in April. Its director, Mr Wira Gardiner, said the tribunal was anxious to ensure a proper balance in the presentation of evidence was preserved. Because it had already heard evidence on sea fisheries from the Ngai Tahu Trust Board, /which > A

had been reported in the news media, then in the interests of fairness and justice it should continue to hear evidence from other parties. Mr Gardiner said, however, that the tribunal would defer making a determination on the issues pending a High Court or Court of Appeal decision on the Muriwhenua claim. The tribunal had been aware that fisheries issues were being argued before the High Court and decisions arising could bear on its own

Accordingly, he said, the tribunal had invited submissions from parties to the Ngai Tahu claim on whether it should continue to hear evidence and determine on this claim, or defer further hearings pending resolution of the High Court proceedings. The tribunal felt that a number Of issues before the High Court might apply in the Ngai Tahu claim and that it was necessary and sensible for them to be resolved first