Photo credit: The Governor-General of New Zealand
On Tuesday 4 February 2025, the photographic exhibition He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975 – 2025 was unveiled at Waitangi. Developed by the Tribunal in partnership with Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi and sponsored by the Borrin Foundation, “He Kura Toi Tangata offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with the Tribunal’s history and the significant role it has played in shaping modern New Zealand", said Owen Taituha, Curator at Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
After Tribunal member Dr Ruakere Hond blessed the exhibition, the Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro delivered the opening address (see below), which was followed by speeches from Minister of Māori Development Tama Potaka, Tribunal Deputy Chairperson Judge Sarah Reeves, Tribunal members Dr Paul Hamer and Dr Monty Soutar, and Judge Alana Thomas.
Back row (left to right): Derek Fox, Hana O’Regan, Judge Carrie Wainwright, Basil Morrison, Ann Parsonson, Deputy Chief Judge Craig Coxhead, Parehau Richards, Judge Alana Thomas, Tania Simpson, Steve Gunson, Brian Tunui. Front row: Ruakere Hond, Judge Sarah Reeves (Deputy Chairperson), Judge Rachel Mullins. Photo credit: Paul Hamer
At the exhibition opening, the documentary ‘Karanga Rā: 50 years of the Tribunal’, produced by Haututū Creatives for the Tribunal, was also launched and forms part of the exhibition. The documentary is available to stream on Whakaata Māori (Māori Television) here as well as on the Tribunal’s website.
He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975-2025 will be on display at Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi from 5 February to 6 April 2025. It will then travel to Wellington in May 2025. Further information can be found on Waitangi Treaty Grounds website.
Dr Monty Soutar, one of the Tribunal’s longest serving members, was MC for the event. Photo credit: Paul Hamer