The latest stories, notices, publications, and other news from across our website.
Māori Land Service
To date more than 1,000 Māori land owners, including large incorporations and trusts, have taken part in consultation on the Māori Land Service. To read more about each hui and Māori land owners’ views, click here.
Removing long standing barriers
Many land owners have raised long standing issues about barriers to the use and retention of their land. These were mainly to do with rating, rating valuations, the application of the Public Works Act, landlocked land and paper roads.
Update on the Bill
Three drafts of Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill were publically released. It was the first time that Te Puni Kōkiri has released a draft Bill for consultation.
The Bill was introduced in the House in April last year. It underwent a thorough examination by the Māori Affairs Committee, who spent many days and hours hearing submissions, questioning officials and deliberating.
The Bill passed its Second Reading in the House in December 2016. To follow the next steps of the Bill when they happen go to the Facebook page here, and check out our website here.
Ngā Pou o Te Ture Whenua Māori
The proposed new Act is putting stakes in the ground for the future of mokopuna, whānau, hapū and iwi throughout Aotearoa. These pou or fundamental principles are underpinned by a strengthened Treaty of Waitangi clause which reinforces the mana and rangatiratanga of Māori over their whenua, resources and taonga. This is part of the purpose and principles which are in the Bill in Māori. While they are explained in English, the Māori version takes precedence and isn’t affected by the English translation.
The Journey
Where did this start? The call for reform has been apparent for a number of years – it was identified and signalled in reports by groups such as the Māori Land Investment Group, the Māori Multiple Owned Land Development Committee, the Hui Taumata Review Group, a Federation of Māori Authorities member’s survey and a National Wānanga of Kaumātua.
Shaping Te Ture Whenua Māori
Replacing the most significant piece of legislation regarding Māori land in Aotearoa New Zealand is not something to be taken lightly.
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 set out a new approach to Māori land under the law. For the first time the focus was on ensuring Māori held on to their land and could use it. The Māori Land Court’s role was to support retention and utilisation of Māori land.
He kupu nā te Minita
Kei aku rangatira, tēnā tātou katoa.
Tēnā hoki tātou i te āhua ki ō tātou mate e hingahinga mai ana i ō tātou marae maha huri i te motu. Ko rātou i kaiwaka ai te rangi, i iwikore ai te tangata kei te pae o mahara rātou katoa. Ko tātou ngā mahuetanga iho hei pikau i ngā mahi i mahia e rātou. Waihoki, ko te tohe nui a te Māori i roto i ngā ngahurutanga tau, ko te tohe mō tō tātou whenua. Kōkiritia tonutia tērā whawhai nui.
Cultural tourism in Te Tairāwhiti
A Tairāwhiti Cultural Tourism discussion will be held at Te Puni Kōkiri offices on Wednesday 22 March, starting at 10:30 am
Turner whānau papakāinga opening
The Turner whānau have opened their papakāinga in Ngāruawāhia. It all started about three years ago when they agreed their Whānau Ora plan through Te Puni Kōkiri WIIE fund.
Tairāwhiti Māori Economic Development Report
On February 28, at a launch held in Tūranga two Tairāwhiti economic development reports were unveiled. The Tairāwhiti report funded by Te Puni Kōkiri, was written by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. The report explores the economic opportunities available within the region for Māori, whānau, hapū and iwi. The second is the Regional Economic Action Plan which highlights the strategic priorities for the region over the next five years.
Inaugural Whānau, Hapū and Iwi Wellbeing Forum 'Te Ritorito 2017'
Registrations are now closed for Te Ritorito 2017, our inaugural whānau, hapū and iwi wellbeing forum.
New Te Puni Kōkiri Mobile Service to support Māori communities
New mobile service will support and better inform Māori communities about government funding and initiatives aimed at Māori.
Te Puni Kōkiri Hosts Japanese Delegation
Te Puni Kōkiri were honoured to host the Comprehensive Ainu Policy Office delegation last Waitangi weekend. Their visit to Aotearoa is a continuation of Japan’s interest in exploring deeper cooperation on indigenous policy development with Aotearoa.
A call to vote for the Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust Mandate Strategy
The Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust released a revised mandate strategy on 11 February 2017.
Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust is seeking a mandate to represent Ngāti Hāua in negotiations with the Crown for the comprehensive settlement of all the historical claims of Ngāti Hāua.
The voting period opens 10 March 2017 and closes 21 April 2017.
Kiwi spotting - Rakiura Māori Lands Trust
The Rakiura Māori Lands Trust in Te Waipounamu successfully applied to the Whenua Māori Fund.
Production potential for Reureu Kotahitanga
Reureu Kotahitanga Ltd were successful in receiving $118,500 from the Whenua Māori Fund which was established to help landowners utilise unused land, improve existing operations or prepare for new opportunities.
Te tuituinga whakamua – Tupoki Takarangi Trust
Tupoki Takarangi Trust in Te Taihauāuru region with the support of $75,000 from the Whenua Māori Fund are investigating options for their three blocks.
This project will produce a feasibility investigation report, business cases and a strategic plan to prepare the trustees for investment decisions required to move forward.
Land to brand - Awatere B Trust
The Trust will also develop a Land Use Management and Information tool that will identify existing Mānuka stands, hive management and honey flow. The tool (an e-whenua platform) will support the land trusts to make decisions on best utilisation of their existing Mānuka stands.
Exploring horticulture – Ohuia Incorporation
Ohuia Incorporation in the Ikaroa – Rāwhiri region with 300ha of Māori freehold land is exploring their horticulture options.
Seeking alternatives – Chadwick Family Trust
While based in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti region, the Chadwick Family Trust were succesful in securing $43,200 from the Whenua Māori Fund for their forestry block located in the Te Taihauāuru region.
Being active owners - Te Kohera-Kakaho Trust
Te Kohera-Kakaho Trust has 1219ha of Māori freehold land in Waikato-Waiariki region. The Whenua Māori Fund will provide $65,000 to support the Trust with their land productivity project.
Te Rau Aroha Trust
Te Rau Aroha Trust with the support of $195,480 from the Whenua Māori Fund are leading the Omaio Kiwifruit Development project.
Collective growth – Oparau Station Trust
With the support of $99,925 from the Whenua Māori Fund, the Oparau Station Trust will work with four other farms to identify their individual potential before exploring what a relationship across the five farms could look like (e.g. supplier agreements, land management under one entity approach) and become a price maker instead of a price taker. The project also looks at specific governance mentoring to support the trustees to make future or projected investment decisions.
Ngā Ngāhere Mōmona – Taitokerau Māori Forestry
Te Tai Tokerau Māori Forestry Collective with support from the Whenua Māori Fund of $266,000 is trialling a prototype and attracting new investors.
Whenua Māori Fund 2017
The Whenua Māori Fund was set up to assist owners and trustees of Māori freehold land to prepare for new opportunities, improve existing operations and utilise unused land. We profile ten initiatives from Te Taitokerau (Far North) to Te Waipounamu (South Island) who received a total of $1.15m covering nearly 48,000 hectares of land. The Fund provides $12.8 million over four years and is part of the wider Te Ture Whenua Māori reform designed to give Māori landowners more say and control over what happens with their whenua.