After 16 years of Waitangi Treaty claim preparations, trustees of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-Tamaki Nui a Rua, are holding a series of hui seeking a mandate to formally begin negotiations with the Crown.
The trust which represents nine hapu karanga in Wairarapa and Southern Hawke's Bay has 27 claims it wants settled.
Project manager Robin Paratene says nine hui will be held from Christchurch to Auckland, with the first one in Palmerston North on Friday.
He says there will be a presentation at each hui outlining what's been achieved with each of the claims, and the responsibilities of the trustees if they're given the authority to represent each hapu.
Mr Paratene says the trustees anticipate negotiations with the Crown will begin before the end of the year.
