Kaupapa Inquiries

Supporting the Waitangi Tribunal Kaupapa inquiries.

The Waitangi Tribunal is a standing commission of inquiry. It makes recommendations on claims brought by Māori relating to legislation, policies, actions or omissions of the Crown that are alleged to breach the promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Waitangi Tribunal is carrying out a comprehensive programme of Kaupapa Inquiries that deal with nationally significant issues affecting Māori. They include a range of issues, such as housing, health, mana wāhine, justice, military veterans, and social services and social development.

The inquiries are an opportunity for MSD to better understand current and past issues, and to continue our commitment to achieve better outcomes for Māori.

MSD and Kaupapa Inquiries

MSD is participating in several Kaupapa Inquiries because we are responsible for developing an array of policies, alongside providing support and services for Māori and in partnership with Māori.

Military Veterans Inquiry (Wai 2500)

The Military Veterans Inquiry concerns claims involving past military service undertaken directly for or on behalf of the New Zealand Crown, and the treatment of ex-service personnel. The New Zealand Defence Force is leading the Crown’s response to this inquiry, and MSD is a support agency.

For further information, see:

Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry (Wai 2575)

The Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry is inquiring into claims concerning health services and outcomes, which are of national significance. Previous phases of the inquiry have looked at the primary health system and lived experience of disability. The current phase will look at mental health and alcohol and substance abuse. Manatū Hauora – the Ministry of Health is leading the Crown’s response to this inquiry, and MSD is a support agency.

For further information, see:

Mana Wāhine Inquiry (Wai 2700)

The Mana Wāhine Inquiry is inquiring into claims which allege prejudice to Māori women arising from Crown breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. The inquiry will look into damage caused to Māori women’s customary roles and relationships with their whenua, whakapapa and mātauranga, serious prejudicial consequences for their social, economic, cultural and spiritual well-being, and their access to leadership roles. Manatū Wāhine – the Ministry for Women is leading the Crown’s response to this inquiry, and MSD is a support agency.

For further information, see:

Housing Policy and Services Inquiry (Wai 2750)

The Housing Policy and Services Inquiry is hearing claims with grievances concerning housing policy and services. Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is leading the Crown’s response to the Wai 2750 Kaupapa Inquiry, and MSD is a support agency

For further information, see:

Te Rau o Te Tika: Justice System Inquiry (Wai 3060)

Te Rau o Te Tika: Justice System Inquiry is focused on the administration of justice, including the funding of claimant participation in Waitangi Tribunal processes, and criminal and civil justice matters. Te Tāhū o te Ture – the Ministry of Justice is leading the Crown’s response to this Inquiry, and MSD is a support agency.

For further information, see:

Tomokia Ngā Tatau o Matangireia: Constitutional Inquiry (Wai 3300)

Tomokia Ngā Tatau o Matangireia: Constitutional Inquiry is inquiring into claims concerning constitutional issues, self-government, and the electoral system. Te Tāhū o te Ture – the Ministry of Justice is leading the Crown’s response to this Inquiry, and MSD is a support agency.

For further information, see:

Education Services and Outcomes Inquiry (Wai 3310)

Indicative issues for this inquiry include the public education system as a whole, including primary and secondary school education issues, tertiary education, curricula, and education finance issues; and Kaupapa Māori education system and related issues. This inquiry is currently in the start-up/planning phase. Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātauranga – the Ministry of Education is leading the Crown’s response to this inquiry, and MSD is a support agency

For further information, see:

Social Services and Social Development Inquiry (Wai 3460)

The Kaupapa Inquiry into social services and social development commenced in September 2024. The Waitangi Tribunal has indicated that this inquiry will hear claims relating to child protection, family well-being, processes of impoverishment, welfare provision, social development, and urbanisation policy and impacts. MSD will lead the Crown’s response to this Inquiry.

For further information, see:

If you have any queries regarding MSD’s Kaupapa Inquiries Programme, please contact kaupapa_inquiries@msd.govt.nz.

Online research tool

Te Hao Rangahau is a database of relevant MSD research and analysis documents to support those working on Kaupapa Inquiries. It includes A Chronology: Social Welfare Policy and Māori, to provide historical context, and bibliographic information for more than 1,500 documents.