Modern New Zealand has debated the Treaty of Waitangi as never before. Understanding, reconciliation, protest and confrontation have been part of this process.
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 established the Waitangi Tribunal, which was to provide 'for the observance and confirmation of the principles' of the Treaty. It initially investigated claims dating from the passage of the Act, but in 1985 its jurisdiction was extended back to 1840.
The government announced that it had agreed to the Waitangi Tribunal's recommendation that Bastion Point on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour be returned to the local iwi, Ngati Whatua.
Joe Hawke leads an occupation of Takaparawha (Bastion Point reserve), Auckland, to protest against the Crown's decision to sell land that Ngati Whatua maintained had been wrongly taken from them.
Charles Crofts (Negotiator for Ngai Tahu) and Doug Graham (Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi negotiations) hongi after signing the Ngai Tahu settlement, 24 September 1997
