Māori Land Court: Crown must protect buried waka remains on Rēkohu

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, counts as "found" — triggering the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's legal duty of care. The Ministry had argued its responsibilities covered only pieces already dug up.