The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland has asked to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal in its Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry.
The Tribunal will begin stage two hearings next year, into the historical grievances of Ngapuhi and other northern tribes.
In a memo to the tribunal, the church's legal advisor James Johnston
says certain claimants have made serious allegations against the
Catholic Church, as an alleged "agent of the Crown", and the Bishop.
Mr Johnston says although claims against the church are not within
the Tribunal's jurisdiction, the Bishop wants to respond, and provide
any evidence that might help the Tribunal on questions of fact.
It's understood the claims come from former students at Hato Petera
church in Auckland, and relate to the on-sale of land granted to the
Catholic Church by Governor George Grey in 1849.