Judge rejects Crown stance on ancient waka as archaeologist warns of storm threat

Shannon PitmanOpen Justice multimedia journalist, Whangārei·NZ Herald·2 Aug, 2026 02:00 AM5 mins to read‌An archaeological report said less than 10% of the waka has been excavated and put in storage. Photo: Manatū TaongaA judge has ruled the Government cannot sidestep its statutory responsibilities for a centuries-old voyaging canoe buried in Rēkohu sand dunes, rejecting the Crown’s argument that its obligations extend only to the excavated parts of the find.

In a recent decision by Māori Land Court Judge Michael Doogan, an archaeologist