Urgent inquiry into issues relating to the TPPA

Waitangi Tribunal urgent inquiry into issues relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

The Waitangi Tribunal will convene an urgent hearing into claims relating to the Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from 14 to 18 March 2016 at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices in Wellington.

In December 2015, the Tribunal confirmed that the issues for urgent inquiry are; whether or not the provisions in the TPPA relating to the Treaty of Waitangi provide effective protection of Maori interests, and what Maori engagement and input is now required for the ratification of the TPPA to be compliant with the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Tribunal will hear from the claimants and the Crown including the evidence of three expert witnesses commissioned by the claimants, the Crown and the Tribunal respectively.

The inquiry is presided over by Judge Michael Doogan and the Tribunal Panel consists of Emeritus Professor Sir Tamati Reedy, the Honourable Sir Douglas Kidd, David Cochrane and Tania Simpson.

ENDS

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