11 Whiringa ā Nuku, 2024

This week, Te Whare o Toroa Marae hosted the latest hearing into the Waitangi Tribunal Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry, otherwise known as the Wai 2500 inquiry.

The inquiry is a key investigation by the Waitangi Tribunal into the experiences of Māori military veterans. It focuses on Māori service members' roles from World War I onward, encompassing operational and routine military duties performed both during times of war and peace, in Aotearoa and abroad. This inquiry covers conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, peacekeeping missions, and nuclear testing operations.

One of the primary purposes of the inquiry is to examine the Crown's treatment of Māori veterans and determine whether their treatment violated the Treaty of Waitangi. This includes issues like racism within the military, lack of proper rehabilitation for those suffering from conditions like shell shock, and the unequal distribution of land and benefits under post-war rehabilitation schemes. An example is the execution of Māori soldier Victor Spencer during World War I, despite his suffering from shell shock.

The inquiry also aims to put the experiences of Māori veterans on the public record and suggest improvements to support for both current and former military personnel. Oral testimonies have been a significant part of this process, with several phases of hearings, the most recent of which occurred in 2023.

The inquiry has been described as crucial for addressing the historical and ongoing issues faced by Māori veterans and their whānau, recognizing their sacrifices, and recommending ways to improve the support structures in place for them.

The Wai 2500 Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry is still in progress, with the hearing at Te Whare o Toroa the next step, with no final decision or completion date set as of now. The inquiry is proceeding in stages, with the second phase having begun in 2023. This phase includes hearings focused on veterans' experiences from the Korean War through to the Afghanistan conflict, covering issues like health impacts from Agent Orange and nuclear testing. The next phases will address earlier conflicts, such as World War I and World War II.

The completion of the inquiry will depend on the conclusion of these hearings and the finalization of reports and recommendations. Given the ongoing nature of hearings into 2024, it is likely that the full findings and official recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal could take some more time to be released.

Wai 2500 Timeline:

2014 – Initiation of the Wai 2500 Inquiry

The Waitangi Tribunal formally launched the Wai 2500 Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry to investigate claims made by Māori veterans and their whānau concerning the Crown’s treatment of military service members. This inquiry was part of the Waitangi Tribunal’s larger focus on breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

2016 – First Round of Hearings

The first phase of hearings began, where oral evidence was presented by veterans and their families. These hearings delved into the treatment of Māori soldiers from World War I through to more recent conflicts. Testimonies highlighted issues like racism, inadequate rehabilitation for mental trauma, and unequal benefits given to Māori veterans upon returning from war​.

2023 – Second Phase of Hearings

The second phase began in June 2023, with hearings held in Rotorua. These hearings focused on military service from the 1950s to 2010s, covering veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Afghanistan, and other peacekeeping operations, as well as nuclear testing in the Pacific. Claims related to health impacts, including exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, were discussed.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) participated actively, listening to the experiences of Māori veterans and acknowledging their challenges. The inquiry aimed to gather a full narrative of Māori military service and consider improvements in support for current and former personnel​.

Ongoing Efforts (2023–2024)

The inquiry remains in progress, collecting testimonies and working on compiling an official record of Māori service experiences. It also explores Crown responsibility and how support structures for Māori veterans can be improved going forward.

The timeline reflects key moments, from the inquiry's initiation to the continuing hearings as of 2023. The inquiry remains focused on achieving better recognition and support for Māori veterans.