The Waitangi Tribunal received a number of claims in Taihape, Rangitīkei, Manawatū, Kapiti and Porirua. Before inquiring into these claims, the Tribunal held consultative judicial conferences to find out:

• Who are the main claimants?
• Who are their spokespersons?
• Which claimant groups have legal representation?
• How many claimants wish to to participate in a Tribunal inquiry?
• What kind of inquiry process would be appropriate for the district?
• What preparations do claimants need to make to be ready for an inquiry?

The Waitangi Tribunal held two consultative judicial conferences in Ōtaki and Palmerston North in April and August 2009 respectively. The Tribunal initially considered holding a single regional inquiry in the area from Taihape to Kapiti, but as a result of these conferences the Tribunal decided to create a separate Taihape inquiry district west of the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges, and south of the Kaimanawa mountains. 

The first Taihape conference was held on 24 May 2010 to discuss Taihape inquiry boundaries, process and other related issues. As a result of that conference, the eastern boundary in the Ruahine Ranges follows the boundaries of the original Māori land blocks rather than current local government boundaries. Claims in the Taihape inquiry district will be heard in a single-stage comprehensive inquiry.

The second Taihape conference was held on 29 November 2010 to discuss recommended research, a comprehensive inquiry process, and other related matters. A general consensus was reached on a series of research topics, which were refined at the third Taihape conference held on 27 June 2011 to consider research and inquiry planning.

The casebook research programme was subsequently finalised in November 2011. The research was split into two phases, with the research in phase one designed to provide input into the number and scope of reports produced in phase two. The following table lists the agreed technical research topics, the commissioning agency, and in which phase a scoping or main report will be delivered:

The Taihape District Inquiry is nearing the end of phase one of its casebook research programme. The following phase one reports have now been completed:

• Northern Block History (Wai 2180, #A6)
• Central Block History (Wai 2180, #A8)
• Southern Block History (Wai 2180, #A7)
• Report on Public Works Takings for Defence and Other Purposes (Wai 2180, #A9)
• Local Government, Rating and Native Townships (scoping) (Wai 2180, #A5)
• Rangitīkei River and its Tributaries (scoping) (Wai 2180, #A4)
• Environment and Resource Management, Wāhi Tapu and Portable Taonga (Wai 2180, #A10)

The following phase one reports are due to be completed by the end of April 2013:

• Tribal Landscape (due to be circulated on 5 April 2013)

A research review was conducted in February 2013 to assess the research produced to-date and advise on the number and scope of research projects needed to provide comprehensive coverage of the remaining topics. The recommendations of this review were circulated in a discussion paper on 20 March 2013.

Both the paper and the submissions received in response to it will form the basis for a fourth inquiry judicial conference, which will be held on 22 April 2013 at Taihape Area School.