Today Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins KC and Minister of Conservation Hon Tama Potaka announced the resolution of a long-standing litigation relating to ownership of 15,100 acres of Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay land, including part of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Published: Rātū, 16 Hakihea, 2025 | Tuesday, 16 December 2025
The case (Stafford v Attorney-General) is a result of private property litigation brought by Mr Rore Stafford on behalf of the customary owners and will result in the land being restored to its owners.
The resolution agreement follows the 2024 High Court decision that the land was held on trust by the Crown, but that it always belonged to the descendants of its original owners.
The resolution agreement includes:
- Restoration of approximately 7,583 acres (3,068 hectares) land in the Nelson/Tasman area to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust (representing the land’s customary owners); and
- A payment of $420 million to rectify the shortfall of land that was not able to be restored as it is no longer owned by the Crown.
The final agreement strikes a balance between the interests of current land users and the original landowners. The agreement provides for continued access and use of the national park by the public.