In history:
Chief Justice declares treaty 'worthless' and a 'simple nullity'
17 October 1877
Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast’s statements when delivering judgment in the case of Wi Parata v The Bishop of Wellington would influence decision-making on Treaty of Waitangi issues for decades.
Prendergast was attorney-general from 1865 to 1875, and then chief justice of the Supreme Court until 1899.
The Wi Parata case involved a block of land at Porirua, which Ngāti Toa had given to the Anglican church on the understanding a school would be built on it. Though no school was built, the church was later issued a Crown grant to the land.
