Justice Christine Grice has been hearing the proceedings in Wellington. (File photo) Chan was claimed to have told DANZ that it played a “unique, umbrella role” for the sector. However, that was before the funding criteria had been set, Watt said. Chan could not predict what DANZ would put in its funding proposal, nor could Chan make a promise about any decision the Arts Council, which governs Creative NZ and signs off on all funding, had to lawfully make. A later meeting between DANZ and Creative NZ senior manager Cath Cardiff, in March 2019, also could not be seen as giving rise to any legitimate expectation the company would be successful in receiving funding, Watt said.