727 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Courts

727 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Courts: Is the Waitangi Tribunal forecasting an overspend in the current financial year; if so has this (or will this) result in deferral of hearings or other proceedings before the Tribunal?

Hon Nicole McKee: I can advise the member that the Waitangi Tribunal Unit is working to manage the current programme within its budget. The Waitangi Tribunal Unit advises that based on the current hearing programme, no hearings or other proceedings in the hearing programme before the Tribunal are expected to be deferred as a result of budgets in this financial year. In 2022/23, the Waitangi Tribunal Unit’s budget increased to account for a larger proposed inquiry work programme. In 2023/24, it is no longer affordable to maintain this increase and although the 2023/24 budget has reduced from 2022/23, it is still an overall increase on 2021/22 and those preceding it.