The New Zealand Maori Council is trying to convince the Waitangi Tribunal to urgently hear its claims about the legislation that governs it.
The Waitangi Tribunal granted the New Zealand Maori Council a judicial conference to explain why its claim should be heard under urgency. The hearing began on Monday at the Tribunal office in Wellington.
The government has recently reviewed the Maori Community Development Act 1962, which governs the Maori Council and Maori Wardens.
Last week it announced there will be no changes to the council, but proposals will be made for Maori Wardens in April.
Maori Council lawyer Matthew Smith said the council was not part of the consultation process which makes it inconsistent with the Treaty of Waitangi and United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He said it is not for the Crown alone to change the Act, and wants its claims heard before the Crown's proposals are due.
Before the hearing, Maori Council co-chair Sir Taihakurei Durie said council members would argue the Tribunal should grant an urgent hearing because he says the Government plans to put out proposals by 14 April.
