Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority

Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority date

1986

Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority judge

Justice Chilwell

Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority court

High Court

Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority conflict

Dairy factory waste was discharged into the Waikato River, allowed by the Waikato Valley Authority. As a spiritual site, Huakina Development Trust, representing Maori, argued it violated the Treaty by violating Maori spiritual and cultural values

Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority ruling

Ruled in favour of Huakina Development Trust because the Water and Soil Conservation Act 1967 was broad enough to consider Treaty principles which the Waikato Valley Authority violated

Significance of Huakina Development Trust v. Waikato Valley Authority

Courts can refer to the Treaty to interpret statutes, even without a treaty clause, depending on context