Supreme Court gives green light to riverbeds' inclusion in Māori customary marine title orders
Getty Images / Hagen Hopkins
The Supreme Court has found riverbeds can be included in Māori customary marine title orders - if other legal tests are meet.
The court released its second judgement today on claims to customary rights in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
The first, which was released in December 2024, overturned a previous Court of Appeal decision which made it easier for Māori to gain customary title.
This second judgement resolves the remaining issues on seven separate appeals - which included the issue of riverbeds.
It comes as the government forges ahead with
plans to amend the law to make it harder for Māori to win customary title
.
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