Waitangi Tribunal Climate Change Priority Inquiry (Wai 3325) – request for evidence from the Commission

27 February 2026

The claimants in the Waitangi Tribunal Climate Change Priority Inquiry have asked the Commission to provide evidence as part of the Inquiry.

The Inquiry is focussed on the impacts of climate change on Māori and the Crown’s response; the relevant principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi the Crown should consider when addressing the impacts of climate change on Māori, whether the Crown has met its obligations under Te Tiriti/The Treaty, and what recommendations the Tribunal should make in terms of how the Crown should conduct itself consistently with principles of Te Tiriti/The Treaty when forming future climate change policies.

We recognise the importance of the Tribunal and this Inquiry.

Our work programme, and in many cases how we are required to approach it, are set out in the Climate Change Response Act – which expressly provides for the Commission to act independently of the Crown. The Commission’s role is to provide independent, expert advice to Government on mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, and to monitor and review the Government’s progress towards its emissions reduction and adaptation goals. 

We have offered to assist the Tribunal with its inquiry if there is relevant information we hold that the Crown or the claimants are not in a position to provide.

Related files:

Wai 3325 – Memorandum of counsel for He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission (PDF, 314 KB)