A Far North tribal leader says the late Saana Murray was very satisfied when the Waitangi Tribunal published its response to her claim covering Maori culture, identity and traditional knowledge.
The kuia, or female elder, died on Saturday night at the age of 90. She was the last survivor of six claimants from six iwi who filed the Wai 262 claim with the tribunal 20 years ago.
The tribunal made many recommendations, including the setting up of a new commission to protect Maori cultural works.
The chairman of Te Rarawa iwi, Haami Piripi, says Saana Murray always hoped to see the report before she died.
But the findings have languished since their release in July, he says, and aren't even in the background thinking of parliamentarians, the Government and decision-makers.
Mr Piripi says although the report's out, the jury's still out on how well the Crown will respond to it - and so far, it's not doing a very good job.
The Government says it's carefully considering the Waitangi Tribunal report.