Claimant Hub

Information for claimants 

Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women can help fund claimants’ participation in the Wai2700 Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry, including helping claimants attend hearings and events. Funding is allocated according to guidelines.

The Claimant Hub explains who can apply to the Ministry for claimants’ participation in the Wai 2700 Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry hearings and process.

This includes information on: 

• Types of hearings and events.
• Who can apply for claimant funding.
• What costs will be funded.
• How to make a funding claim. 

Types of events

There are four types of events that may be called by the Tribunal for claimants to attend:  

1. Hearing weeks – This is where claimants, the Crown and expert witnesses are invited by the Tribunal to present evidence. Hearing weeks are usually 5 working days, and several hearing weeks may be scheduled over the calendar year.
2. Crown hearing weeks – This is where the Tribunal invites the Crown and agency spokespeople to make closing statements about the claims.
3. Cultural wānanga – This is a hui-workshop directed by the Tribunal to call upon subject matter experts to bring advice on specialist cultural matters e.g. karanga (traditional call) or wahi tapū (places of cultural significance).
4. Judicial conferences – This is the process to decide on Tribunal procedural matters. Examples may include planning the approach to hearings, confirming research priorities, and/or discussing overlapping claim issues.  

It is common practice for claimant counsel to represent their claimant’s interests at judicial conferences, which predominately deal with procedural issues and therefore it is not necessary for claimants to attend.

Who can apply for claimant funding

• Lead claimants who are presenting evidence during the hearing week.
• Commissioned researchers/expert witnesses who are presenting evidence during the hearing week.
• Support people – Claimants who require support for disability aid or health needs can take support people to hearings. The Ministry can fund costs for up to three support people per claimant or claimant witness who is giving evidence at Waitangi Tribunal hearings/events.
• Interested parties will be funded on a case-by-case basis. 

What costs are funded under the Inquiry

Travel, meal and accommodation costs related to attending hearings and events can be funded according to guidelines. The Ministry can cover the actual and reasonable costs of lead claimants or expert witnesses giving evidence. Support people may be covered, if required. 

The Ministry cannot provide claimant funding for

• Costs incurred by claimants prior to the commencement of the Inquiry.
• Loss of wages for claimants, claimant witnesses and/or their support people.
• Costs of legal representation, as this is available through legal aid.
• Direct funding for each claimant to undertake their own research.
• Koha or cash equivalent. 

To request travel bookings

1. A travel form can be downloaded from our website or through a printed application form we can send you.
2. Please email your completed form and any queries about claimant funding to wai2700@women.govt.nz
3. To request funding for a cost not outlined, see Claimant Funding Expense Guidelines

To request cost reimbursement

1. A reimbursement form can be downloaded online from this website or through a printed application form we can send you.
2. Original GST invoices are required for all costs over $50. They will not be returned to you. Please contact Inland Revenue for further details on the criteria of a tax invoice. An invoice is not needed for claims relating to mileage and contributions considered for alternative accommodation arrangements,eg, staying on a marae.
3. Please email your completed form to Wai2700@women.govt.nz along with the following documentation:
   1. A legible GST receipt is required for any single transaction (we are unable to accept eftpos receipts). Please ensure you collect GST receipts for all transactions you would like to be reimbursed.
   2. A bank deposit slip or digital screenshot including bank logo, account name and account number for the person named in the reimbursement.
4. To request funding for a cost not outlined, see Claimant Funding Expense Guidelines

General notes 

1. The maximum funding limits for reimbursements will be treated with flexibility, provided that the Ministry considers it to be a reasonable cost.
2. Claimants will be liable for the costs of any damage caused or fines incurred during their travel or time in accommodation. 

Claimant Funding Expense Guidelines

The following table contains guidelines of the costs and evidence required when the Ministry organises your travel, accommodation and meal arrangements.

Claimant funding expense guidelines

Claimant Funding Expense Guidelines
Cost type	Maximum amount $ (including GST)	Further information	Evidence required
Travel	To be assessed on a case-by-case basis	Airfare, bus, ferry, taxi, train, shuttle or car rental costs can be booked by the Ministry. This is the preferred option.	No
Transport fares, excluding ride share apps		If you book airfares, bus, ferry, taxi, train, shuttle or car rental, costs can be included for consideration in a reimbursement claim.	Yes
Travel  Personal vehicle mileage	$1.04/km Maximum 200km from home address to location and return	Personal car use at $1.04/km can be considered as part of a reimbursement claim. Please specify trip start location and destination, with number of km’s.	Yes
Travel Parking fees	$28 per person per day	Car parking can be considered as part of a reimbursement claim. Please note this excludes valet parking.	Yes
Meals (excluding alcohol)	$83.95 per person per day	Depending on the accommodation provider, breakfast and dinner can be covered by the Ministry.	No
		Breakfast, lunch or dinner can be considered as part of a reimbursement claim.	Yes
Accommodation (excluding alcohol, minibar, video, telephones, or extra damage charges)	$120 per person per day	If there is availability in that location, this can be booked by the Ministry. Please specify the type of accommodation and number of nights required. Unfortunately, we cannot book Airbnb or similar online services for you.	No
		If you book accommodation, this can be considered as part of a reimbursement claim.	Yes
Other costs	To be assessed on a case-by-case basis	Organisational costs can be included for consideration in a claim. For example, support for people to watch the livestream of the events, or preparatory hui.	Yes