Ng�tiawa T�p�tonga Tai K�piti

Case [2024] NZHC 1233


IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA

TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA ROHE

CIV-2017-485-160; CIV-2017-485-214 CIV-2017-485-229; CIV-2017-485-273 CIV-2017-485-511; CIV-2017-485-261 CIV-2017-485-248; CIV-2017-485-258 CIV-2017-485-260; CIV-2017-485-211

GROUP N, STAGE 1(a) and STAGE 1(b)

[2024] NZHC 1233

BETWEEN the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana Act) 2011.

AND

applications for orders recognising Customary Marine Title and Protected Customary rights

Continued…

Hearing: 16 May 2024

Counsel:

U A Kuddus for applicant for leave to intervene, Apihaka Mack and Marama Tamati-Martin, on behalf of Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti

A R Irwin for Ngāti Tamarangi hapū of Muaūpoko iwi
N R Coates and P Walker for Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

B R Lyall, M R G van Alphen-Fyfe and H L B Swedlund for Te Whānau Tima (Seymour) and Te Ahi Kā o Te Mateawa

C Shenton (self-represented) for Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti
Apa

T H Bennion and E A Whiley for Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Incorporated

A M Cameron and A J Samuels for Te Ātiawa Ki Whakarongotai E K Rongo for Tiratu Williams and Patricia Grace for the owners of Hongoeka Blocks; and Ngāti Toa Rangatira

D A Ward, D O Kleinsman and A H Ou for Attorney General

F R Wedde and C E Bulow for Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council

L L Black for Te Patutokotoko

C F Finlayson KC for Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust C M Hockly for Horowhenua 11 Part Reservation Trust

MACA NGĀTIAWA (RESULTS JUDGMENT) [2024] NZHC 1233 [16 May 2024]

Judgment: 16 May 2024

ORAL RESULTS JUDGMENT OF GRICE J

(Application for leave to intervene by Apihaka Mack and Marama Tamati-Martin, on behalf of Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti)


BY William James Taueki on behalf of behalf of Ngāti Tamarangi hapū of Muaūpoko iwi (CIV-2017-485-160)
BY Margaret     Morgan-Allen     for     David Morgan Whānau (CIV-2017-485-214)
BY

Rachael Ann Selby on behalf of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

(CIV-2017-485 229)

BY Patrick Seymour on behalf of Te Whānau Tima (Seymour) and Te Ahi Kā o Te Mateawa (CIV-2017-485-273)
BY

Chris Shenton on behalf of Te Rūnanga o

Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa (CIV-2017-485-511)

BY

Muaūpoko represented by Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Incorporated

(CIV-2017-485-261)

BY Trustees of Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust on behalf of Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai (CIV-2017-485-248)
BY

Tiratu Williams and Patricia Grace for the owners of Hongoeka Blocks

(CIV-2017-485-258)

BY Te Ātiawa ki te Ūpoko o te Ika ā Māui Pōtiki Trust (CIV-2017-485-260)
BY Trustees of Tupoki Takarangi Trust (1996) on behalf of owners of Parangarahu 2B1 and 2C and their descendants (CIV- 2017-485-211)
INTERESTED PARTIES Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Incorporated on behalf of the iwi of Ngāti Toa Rangatira (Crown engagement)
MAC-01-12-021
Attorney General
Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council
Porirua City Council
Edward Tautahi Penetito, and Donald Koroheke Tait of Ngāti Kauwhata (Crown engagement) MAC-01-11-008
Christopher Henare Tahana, Edward (Fred) Clark, Hayden Tūroa, and Novena McGuckin on behalf of Te Patutokotoko (CIV-2017-485-254) (Intervener)
Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust (applied)
Seafood Industry
Horowhenua 11 Part Reservation Trust

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka

Kotahi


[1]   The   application   for   leave   to   intervene   by   Apihaka   Mack   and  Marama Tamati-Martin, on behalf of Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti, is declined. The reasons judgment will follow.


Grice J

Solicitors

Kāhui Legal, Wellington Bennion Law, Wellington Whāia Legal, Wellington

Oranganui Legal Limited, Paraparaumu Crown Law, Wellington

Bundle Findlay, Wellington Black Law, Nelson

Hockly Legal, Auckland Phoenix Law, Wellington

Details
AGLC
Ng�tiawa T�p�tonga Tai K�piti [2024] NZHC 1233
Case
[2024] NZHC 1233
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

This case involves applications under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, seeking recognition of customary marine title and protected customary rights. The matter was heard before Grice J at the High Court of New Zealand in Wellington. The primary applicant seeking leave to intervene in the proceedings was Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti, represented by Apihaka Mack and Marama Tamati-Martin. The court had to determine whether Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti should be granted leave to intervene in the applications that were already before the court.

The legal issue before the court was to assess whether Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti's intervention would be in the interests of justice and whether they had a sufficient interest in the outcome of the proceedings. The court considered the relevance and significance of Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti's interests in relation to the applications already made by other parties. Grice J examined whether the application to intervene would unduly delay or prejudice the other proceedings, and whether there were other means available to protect Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti's interests. The court concluded that granting leave to intervene would not be in the interests of justice and declined the application.

The court's decision was based on a careful consideration of the balance between the interests of the applicant and the existing proceedings. Grice J found that Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti had not demonstrated that their intervention was necessary to ensure a fair and just outcome of the proceedings. The court also noted that the existing proceedings were sufficiently comprehensive to address the interests of all relevant parties, including those of Ngātiawa Tōpūtonga Tai Kāpiti. As a result, the court declined the application for leave to intervene.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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