Wai Manawa Whenua challenges Crown over freshwater rights in High Court
Monday 3 November 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story High Court, Bill English
The Wai Manawa Whenua group has begun a landmark legal challenge in the Wellington High Court. Representing various Māori landowners and iwi collectives, the claimants argue that the Crown has failed to protect New Zealand's waterways for decades.