The start of hearings on Ngapuhi's historical claims has been put off again.
The hearing of the last major tribal grouping to go before the Waitangi Tribunal was due to start in late March with evidence on the northern iwi's understanding of the meaning of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the 1835 Declaration of Independence.
But the tribunal has sought a two-month delay because it won't be able to field a full panel of members that week.
Nuki Aldridge from Te Kotahitanga o nga hapu o Ngapuhi says that if the process drags on further, important kaumatua evidence could be lost.
He agrees, however, that it's important the evidence is heard by the full tribunal panel.
