“No Contract, No Case”: Ngāruawāhia Man Claims His Home is an “Embassy” to Avoid $195k Rates Bill

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Investigative Desk

NGĀRUAWĀHIA, WAIKATO (Wednesday, January 28, 2026) — For nearly two decades, Rewi Gregory has lived in a modest 1940s house on River Road, Ngāruawāhia. But to Gregory, the property isn’t just a home—it’s the Embassy of Te-Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, and as its “Ambassador,” he insists he is exempt from New Zealand law, specifically the obligation to pay council rates.

Despite multiple court losses and a skyrocketing debt that now exceeds $195,000, the 74-year-old remains defiant. “I’ve never paid rates in my life… I don’t have any contract with the council. No contract, no case,” Gregory told reporters this week.

🏛️ The “Embassy” on River Road

Walking past the 1000m² plot, the first thing visitors notice is the United Tribes flag flying high and a sign identifying the site as an embassy for the Pacific Ocean. Inside, Gregory lives with his partner, Clare, their dog Blondie, and a flock of chickens.

The Argument: Gregory claims the land was gifted to him in 2007 according to tikanga Māori. He argues the property is Māori customary land, which is legally exempt from rates, rather than “freehold general land” as the council maintains.
Historical Conflict: Gregory asserts that the conversion of the land from customary title to Crown title prior to 1913 was illegitimate, meaning all subsequent sales and council jurisdictions are invalid.

⚖️ A String of Legal Defeats

The Waikato District Council has not sat idly by. After years of non-payment, they took Gregory to court in 2022.

District Court (2022): Gregory was ordered to pay $64,108 plus costs. He refused.
High Court (2024): By this time, the debt hit $165,251. Justice Dani Gardiner ruled there was “no evidence” the land was customary, stating the council was entitled to rely on the official certificate of title.
Court of Appeal (Late 2025): Gregory’s application for leave to appeal was declined, effectively exhausting his mainstream legal options.

📊 The Rising Debt: Rewi Gregory vs. Waikato Council

Year	Status / Event	Estimated Debt
2007	Property gifted to Gregory	$0 (at start of tenure)
2022	First major court ruling	$64,108
2024	High Court Appeal	$165,251
2026	Current estimated total	~$195,000

Note: The property has a council valuation of $500,000, with annual rates around $4,640.

🏹 The Final Stand: Māori Land Court

Refusing to accept the appellate court’s decision, Gregory has now filed proceedings in the Māori Land Court. He hopes a judge there will finally reclassify the land as customary.

“I haven’t heard back from them yet,” Gregory admitted, but he remains unmoved. The council, meanwhile, has declined to comment further, citing the ongoing and private nature of the debt recovery process.