A Far North tribe on the verge of settling its Treaty of Waitangi claim says the behaviour of its neighbouring iwi, Ngati Kahu, is verging on madness.
Ngati Kahu is asking the Waitangi Tribunal to compel the Government to return all state-owned enterprise land held for potential Treaty settlements in its area.
The tribunal has never used its power to make binding recommendations to settle a major claim.
A Ngai Takoto leader, Rangitane Marsden, says Ngati Kahu is entitled to ask that - but the iwi is now making 11th-hour claims to manawhenua and assets in neighbouring tribal areas.
Mr Marsden says people have suddenly decided that they have rediscovered a new identity and have re-written history to suit their interests under the guise of a Crown grievance.
He says Ngati Kahu's claims have forced Ngai Takoto and the other Muriwhenua tribes - who are about to sign Deeds of Settlement - to defend themselves at a tribunal hearing this week that they wanted no part of.
