A Bay of Plenty iwi says the Supreme Court's decision to examine a farm sale the tribe is contesting shows there are bigger public law matters that need addressing.
The country's highest judicial body has directed Crown agency Landcorp not to proceed with selling Wharere Farms until it has decided to hear the case.
Despite the Court of Appeal dismissing a bid by Ngati Whakahemo to try and stop the sale, the Supreme Court said it hoped to resolve the issue before the land is to be sold.
The chair of Ngati Whakahemo Runanga said he was thrilled with the Supreme Court's involvement.
Mita Ririnui said he thought it was bigger than just an appeal to stop the sale - it also required a close examination of public law, otherwise the iwi would not have been granted the court's time.
He said legal matters that may need addressing included the State Owned Enterprises Minister's obligations, and iwi would be keeping a close eye on the case.
