For many New Zealanders, Treaty settlements are an aspect of our history that is shrouded in mystery & misunderstanding. Take a closer look at the conversation through seven of the lead negotiators.
Sir Michal Cullen was Minister of Treaty Negotiations for the Treelords settlement over central North Island forests. After he left Parliament, Michael jumped the fence to become lead negotiator for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa comprehensive Treaty claims.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=c717b130-28e0-4ea3-96e8-c53571a30399)
4 Feb 2026
Jamie Tuuta - The Young Gun
How did a 24-year-old former television reporter end up negotiating against the Crown? Jamie Tuuta was one of 10 kids raised by grandparents whose generation were shamed into silence. Why then did the 'Young Gun' for Taranaki Iwi call a halt to talks with Chris Finlayson, the powerful Minister of Treaty Negotiations?
Content warning: contains mention of sexual violence.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=e2774687-e6fb-42a1-8498-76ee62d1b531)
3 Feb 2026
Mavis Mullins - The Business Woman
Mavis Mullins is a high achiever, not only in the wool-handling industry where she is well known and respected, but also on the international business stage. The #32.5 million settlement she helped negotiate covers the second-largest geographical area of any Treaty deal so far, with the claims process beginning in the late '80s.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=c453d2ce-7890-41bb-85b4-c901fc064dfe)
2 Feb 2026
Chris McKenzie - The School Teacher
Chris McKenzie was a teacher when he morphed into the role of education manager at Raukawa Trust. The Trust asked him to represent them at a series of hui, kicking off the Central North Island Forestry claim. It was only ever going to be temporary "just until they completed the search to find a negotiator." They never did.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=a80d0e43-613e-4909-bdc3-f7864636ae03)
1 Feb 2026
Ella Henry - The Scholar
As a university student with a flash computer fighting to reclaim tribal land, Ella Henry naturally became 'Secretary of Everything'. Upon her mother's death, the respected scholar took up her mother's baton, which saw Ella going up not just against the Crown but sometimes her own relatives.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=9a5973fe-b413-4159-8a5e-a9e43d6054dc)
29 Jan 2026
Alex Nathan - The Artist
Alex Nathan spent 20 years leading the Te Roroa claim. The tiny, cash-strapped iwi were accused of arson, part of a widely publicised campaign to discredit the tribe and undermine the Waitangi Tribunal. Public pressure led to a law change which took private land off the negotiating table.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=034816bd-a2c6-4f74-9202-4e1f890c7132)
28 Jan 2026
Sir Tipene O'Regan - The Chairman
Sir Tipene O'Regan describes the fire-bombings of his marae in the mid '90s as the "cheerful actions of our fellow citizens." The Ngāi Tahu negotiator looks back to when, amid a hostile media, the looming 'fiscal envelope', and State-Owned Enterprises Act, the teacher, taxi driver, and freezing worker faced the might of the Crown.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=cd4d5fb6-80df-4aa7-833d-6be2f352232b)
12 Jan 2026
Introducing: The Negotiators
For many New Zealanders, Treaty settlements are an aspect of our history that is shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Take a closer look at the conversation, through the eyes of seven lead negotiators.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details (https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/the-negotiators-podcast?share=09f8501f-9c57-42ec-9609-62a1754b3e25)
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