The Waitangi Tribunal opens a hearing in the Waikato on Monday to hear the views of iwi affected by the North Island's main trunk railway.
The hearing at Te Ihingarangi Marae in the settlement of Waimiha, north of Lake Taupo, runs until Friday.
It is part of the Tribunal's King Country district inquiry, which is hearing evidence on a number of topics, including the impact of war and confiscations on Waikato iwi.
This week, the inquiry will look into the Main Trunk Line, including the way it affected the lives of Te Rohe Potae (King Country) Maori.
Work first began on the line in 1885, after the Government reached an agreement with Ngati Maniapoto leaders to open the King Country up to rail development. It took 23 years to complete.
This is the fifth week of hearings for the wider inquiry, which began in November last year.
It is expected to take a total of 14 weeks, covering more than 270 claims from a range of iwi and hapu.
