We acknowledge that Waitangi Tribunal rulings are not binding on the Crown except in the case of the return of State-owned enterprise land, but we do not think it is appropriate for the Crown to dismiss completely a direct ruling from them. To our knowledge, it is unprecedented for the Crown to introduce legislation that, once passed, will extinguish the rights of parties with a case in front of the Supreme Court. We may be MPs and this may be Parliament, but we do not have the right to undermine and determine the whakapapa of any other hapū or iwi. We should never be looking to undermine the tino rangatiratanga of any of them. The Minister, though, has assured us that he believes the Waitangi Tribunal was incorrect and that the Supreme Court will rule against the claimants. It is essential we remember that the Crown is not a neutral party in this. They have a clear financial conflict of interest in the outcome. 