The Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) welcomes the Government’s proposed amendments to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 and acknowledges Māori Development Minister Hon Tama Potaka in progressing this important work.
FOMA Chair Traci Houpapa says Te Ture Whenua Māori Act remains fundamental to protecting the intergenerational interests of Māori landowners while enabling whānau to make the most of their whenua.
“Te Ture Whenua Māori Act is central to the future of Ahuwhenua Māori. It needs to protect the enduring relationship between whānau and whenua while also enabling Māori landowners to make decisions, invest, develop and respond to the opportunities in front of them.”
FOMA supports the proposed changes to provide greater autonomy for Māori landowners, reduce unnecessary processes and make it easier for whānau to develop their whenua, while retaining the protections that keep whenua Māori in Māori ownership.
“Minister Potaka has brought forward practical changes that recognise the realities facing Māori landowners today. Greater governance autonomy and more efficient processes can help unlock investment, development and economic opportunities on whenua Māori,” Ms Houpapa says.
FOMA also supports ongoing review of the Act to ensure it continues to keep pace with the strategic changes taking place across Ahuwhenua Māori and the primary sector.
“Ahuwhenua Māori are a significant and growing part of the primary industry and economy of Aotearoa. The legislative settings need to keep pace with that growth and support Māori landowners to lead, innovate and create value from their whenua.”
“FOMA looks forward to continuing to work constructively with Minister Potaka, Te Puni Kōkiri and other agencies as these reforms progress. The opportunity is to ensure Te Ture Whenua Māori remains fit for purpose for the next generation, protecting whenua Māori while giving whānau the tools and confidence to build prosperous, sustainable futures from it.”
ENDS