Protecting whenua Māori without holding whānau back

Cabinet has approved 12 targeted amendments to the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, aimed at giving Māori landowners greater control over their whenua. The changes are designed to simplify decision-making processes and reduce the need for repeated trips to the Māori Land Court. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka highlighted that fragmented ownership often complicates even straightforward decisions, creating delays and additional costs for whānau.

One key amendment introduces a new voluntary governance structure, similar to the Wi Pere Trust, allowing landowners to make more decisions independently. This change is intended to provide greater autonomy while maintaining protections to keep whenua in Māori ownership. The reforms also clarify land ownership details and remove unnecessary court steps to facilitate smoother processes for whānau.

The amendments address practical barriers exposed by Cyclone Gabrielle, where some whānau were unable to access recovery funding due to legal ownership complications. The changes ensure that whenua without formal trusts can still apply for emergency and recovery support. Additionally, adopted individuals will now be able to inherit Māori land interests from their birth parents, expanding inheritance rights.

These reforms build on existing initiatives, including national standards to support papakāinga housing and investments in 30 Iwi and Māori-owned whenua projects. The Ministry for Primary Industries estimates that unlocking whenua Māori’s productive potential could generate significant economic benefits. An Amendment Bill will now proceed to Parliament for further consideration.