The Strategic Direction
On 2 July 2025, Waitangi Tribunal Chairperson Chief Judge Dr Caren Fox issued the ‘Waitangi Tribunal’s Strategic Direction 2025-2035’. The document sets the Tribunal’s strategic goals for delivering the inquiry work programme over the next 10 years.
Read the Waitangi Tribunal’s Strategic Direction 2025-2035
Waitangi Tribunal directions
The Waitangi Tribunal can instruct the parties to an inquiry to carry out specific tasks, such as filing documents by a set date or setting out in writing any objections they have to a proposed course of action.
This document is known as a direction. Directions are usually issued by the presiding officer for an inquiry and help it to proceed in an orderly and efficient manner.
Most directions relate to a single inquiry. Documents in current inquiries can be searched and downloaded.
The following memoranda were issued by the chairperson and affect the work programme of the Waitangi Tribunal as a whole.
Kaupapa inquiry directions
4 October 2024
This memorandum updates the claimants and the Crown on alternative processes that the Tribunal may follow in commencing and progressing its Kaupapa inquiries.
Kaupapa Inquiry Direction 2024
Find out more about Tribunal kaupapa inquiries
19 September 2025
This practice note is issued pursuant to clause 5(9) and (10) of Schedule 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, and sets out some overarching procedural guidance for addressing overlaps.
Annex 1 - Waitangi-Tribunal-Strategic-Direction-2025-2035
Annex 3 - Wai 2180, #2.5.43 (p.10)
Urgency inquiry
22 August 2025
This practice note solely concerns applications for urgency. It is issued pursuant to clause 5(9) and (10) of Schedule 2 of the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. The purpose of this practice note is to outline a new and standardised procedure for the management of urgencies.
Practice Note - Te Tukanga Taihoro - Urgency Inquiry Process