Report on Roadman's Cottage, Mahia
Wairoa Land claim
In May 1989, Pauline Tangiora lodged a claim with the Tribunal seeking the return of five acres at Mahia owned by the Wairoa District Council and formerly used as a roadman’s cottage.
In its report of 19 December 1990, signed by Chief Judge Eddie Durie, the Tribunal noted that the claim related to a local authority and that the Tribunal’s jurisdiction was to hear claims only against the Crown. The Tribunal did note that it might be possible to mount a Treaty argument relating to the Crown’s duty to return gifted land, but further noted that such an argument had not been made. In addition, it appeared to the Tribunal that the Maori Land Court was able to assist in this inquiry and to revest the land to suit. Accordingly, the Tribunal did not inquire further into this claim, but it gave leave for the claim to be revived in the event that a land return was not proceeded with or additional information was uncovered.
