Tairawhiti & Opotiki Maori Land Service Design

The concept of a Maori land service is a key element in the current reform of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993, which is yet to be passed in Parliament.

The reform would mean the Maori Land Court would still deal with matters pertaining to law, but a separate Maori land service is planned to take over the administrative services of Maori lands from October 2018.

Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell announced at the time of this year’s Budget that $32 million would be dedicated to establishing phase one of the service.

He approved four rohe (areas) to submit business cases to set up a Maori land service for their rohe.

They are Tairawhiti, Waiariki, Taitokerau and Aotea, and so far, Tairawhiti is the first rohe out of the blocks.

A Tairawhiti project team is putting together a business case based on feedback they receive from Maori land owners.