The following papers, including Cabinet papers and minutes of decision, concern the Government’s Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review and the establishment of an independent Technical Advisory Group to lead the review.
Last updated: Rāapa, 21 Haratua, 2025 | Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Papers approved for release by the Minister for Māori Development
Cabinet paper and Minute of Decision: Review of the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation (April 2025)
These documents include the paper that went to Cabinet seeking final decisions on the scope and approach to a review of the Waitangi Tribunal’s legislation, and Minutes of Decisions agreed with Cabinet on the scope and approach.
Cabinet Paper Summary - Review of the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation (April 2025) [PDF 1MB]
Minute of Decision - Review of the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation (April 2025) [PDF 691KB]
Background papers approved for release
Te Puni Kōkiri Aide Memoire 72047: Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review – Progress, next steps & roadmap (March 2025)
This paper provided an update on a phased approach to the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review and a Ministerial group providing strategic direction and monitoring progress of the review.
Te Puni Kōkiri briefing 72004: Options Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review (March 2025)
This paper sought direction on the options for the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review to be included in the Cabinet paper.
TPK Briefing 72004 - Options Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review (March 2025) [PDF 489KB]
Te Puni Kōkiri briefing 49593: Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review – Draft Cabinet paper (September 2024)
This paper sought feedback on a draft Cabinet paper about the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review.
Te Puni Kōkiri briefing 49505: Waitangi Tribunal Review – Establishment Process (September 2024)
This briefing sought agreement to the process and timeframes to establish the Waitangi Tribunal Legislation Review.
TPK Briefing 49505 - Waitangi Tribunal Review - Establishment Process (September 2024) [PDF 900KB]
Te Puni Kōkiri 49171 – Draft for Discussion: Terms of Reference – Independent focused review into the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 (July 2024)
This paper updates previous advice on draft terms of reference for an independent review of legislation, as well as a diagram of the systems landscape of the Treaty of Waitangi, and overarching options and considerations for the review.
Te Puni Kōkiri 49074 – Draft for Discussion: Terms of reference [for option 2] – Independent focused review into the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 (July 2024)
This paper provides draft terms of reference for an independent review of legislation, as well as a diagram of the systems landscape of the Treaty of Waitangi, and overarching options and considerations for the review.
Te Puni Kōkiri briefing 48217: Scoping a review of the Waitangi Tribunal legislation (April 2024)
This paper sought initial direction on the scope of the Government’s coalition agreement to amend the Waitangi Tribunal legislation.
TPK Briefing 48217 - Scoping a review of the Waitangi Tribunal legislation (April 2024) [PDF 1MB]