New Zealand government officials have been accused of breaching the Treaty of Waitangi by failing to consult with local Māori communities before constructing a new radioactive waste storage facility in the Manawatū region. The facility, built on New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) land, was constructed and operated in secrecy, with officials citing national security concerns as the reason for avoiding public and iwi consultation. The facility replaces an aging and potentially unstable storage unit in Christchurch, which was found to have significant safety issues. Planning documents show the relocation of radioactive waste from Christchurch to Manawatū was conducted as part of a top-secret operation, using Defence Force trucks and unmarked police cars to avoid public attention. The process took nearly two years and cost $420,000 to encapsulate the waste in new pre-cast concrete tubes for transport. Despite advice from experts, including the Director-General of Māori Health, the Health Ministry decided not to engage with local iwi. A 2023 planning report recommended a risk assessment for not consulting Māori, but the steering group dismissed the advice, citing 'security sensitivities.' Even a planned site blessing was abandoned. Danielle Harris, a Māori representative and advocate, has expressed disappointment, stating, 'I think that’s yet another example of officials giving sound advice and it being ignored.' She argues that the secrecy surrounding the facility is not in the interest of national security and is a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. Health Ministry Director-General John Whaanga and others were consulted, but their recommendations were disregarded. The Ministry of Health claims it fulfilled its legal obligations, citing national security as the reason for the lack of transparency. However, local Māori and environmental advocates continue to raise concerns about the long-term safety and the lack of consultation. The controversy has sparked a broader debate about transparency, national security, and the rights of Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. As the facility becomes operational, questions remain about how the government will address these concerns and ensure future projects involve the communities most affected by them.