Hearings are held in order that the Tribunal can hear evidence from claimants to substantiate their claims and from other parties, including the Crown. The parties' lawyers will also make submissions containing legal arguments based on Treaty principles.
Hearings are normally open to the public.
The Tribunal tries to hear claimant groups at the venue of their choice and according to their protocols, where that is desired. Usually, claimant groups are heard on their marae. In all cases, however, the Tribunal must be satisfied that a proposed venue is suitable for its needs and that it meets certain health and safety requirements. Accordingly, the Tribunal makes the ultimate decision as to where it sits. Typically, claimant evidence is a mix of oral evidence from kaumatua and rangatahi and written evidence comprising traditional and professional research reports.