Funding over Ngāpuhi's Treaty claim hearings could soon be broken, if the High Court orders the Crown Forestry Rental Trust (CFRT) to bring in an arbitrator.
The two trustees appointed by the New Zealand Māori Council, Sir Taihakurei Durie and Maanu Paul, have questioned Trust policies, including whether it would fund the full Ngāpuhi hearings scheduled or cut off funding if the Government started direct negotiations.
Trust chair claimed Sir Taihakurei had a conflict of interest and could not discuss Te Paparahi O Te Raki hearings.
Retired Appeal Court Judge, Sir Bruce Robertson, has been asked to determine the conflict and is expected to look into the issue before the end of the year.