Court rules Crown must protect buried waka remains, countering Ministry stance

The Māori Land Court has ruled the Crown must protect the buried remains of Rangihoua, a 550-year-old waka on Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). Judge Michael Doogan found the entire waka — including parts still underground — has been "found", extending the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's statutory duty of care. The Ministry had argued its responsibilities covered only pieces already recovered.