Delivering for Māori and the Whenua
This year’s Wellbeing Budget makes a strategic investment into the development of whenua, Māori freehold landowners and their whanau.
The Government has set aside $56.1 million to implement the Whenua Māori Programme. Whenua is fundamental to Māori culture, providing a sense of identity and belonging that transcends generations. The programme is expected to significantly lift the intergenerational wellbeing of Māori landowners, their whanau and communities.
With a focus on stimulating social and economic development through the 1.4 million hectares of whenua that remain in Māori freehold title, the programme will increase the knowledge and skills of Māori landowners, generate wealth and strengthen the connection between Māori and their whenua.
Māori freehold landowners face a range of complex issues and need a range of support to help identify opportunities for investment and growth. The programme addresses these challenges by:
- enabling on-the-ground support for Māori landowners in four key regions
- amending Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993
- providing new and enhanced Māori Land Court services
- modernising Māori Land Court information systems
- creating a Whenua Knowledge Hub and website designed in collaboration with Māori.
Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry of Justice are co-leading the programme and will work across government to ensure Māori landowners are accessing the range of opportunities available to them.
Funding for Whenua ($56.112 over four years)
- Regional whenua advisory services - $19.9m over four yearsWhenua Knowledge Hub and website - $10.3m over four years
- Succession/online forms/other - $10.1m over four years
- New Māori Land Court technology - $7.8m over four years
- Dispute resolution - $5.54m over four years
- Programme Management (Te Puni Kōkiri) - $1.6
- Legislative process - $0.9m