Wakatu Maori are heading to the Supreme Court to argue they have the same property rights as other New Zealanders and should not be prevented from protecting them in the courts.
The Nelson-based group of five hapu became an incorporated family in 1977, and for the past 30 years it has unsuccessfully sought compensation for alienation from its land.
Chairman Paul Morgan said it would cite an 1841 agreement in which Pakeha settlers promised to put 10 percent of Nelson lands aside for local Maori.
The hearing will last four days.