Te Puni Kōkiri Enhances Resources to Support Māori Landowners on Development Journeys

Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has reaffirmed its commitment to Māori land development by providing updated resources designed to assist whānau, hapū, and iwi in managing their ancestral lands. As of Thursday, 23 July 2026, the government agency has highlighted several key partnerships and funds aimed at ensuring Māori views on the environment are integrated into national policy. Central to this support is the Māori Land Court, which operates under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. The court continues to play a vital role in helping owners promote the retention and control of their land as taonga tuku iho. TPK noted that Te Ture Whenua Māori Act is currently under review, signaling potential updates to the legislative framework governing Māori land. Environmental protection remains a high priority, with two specific funds managed by the Department of Conservation highlighted for Māori landowners. The Ngā Whenua Rāhui Fund is available to support the protection of indigenous ecosystems on Māori-owned land, while the Mātauranga Kura Taiao Fund focuses on hapū and iwi initiatives that promote traditional Māori knowledge in biodiversity management. To facilitate better communication between government and Māori, Te Puni Kōkiri maintains Te Kāhui Māngai, a national directory of iwi and Māori organisations. This tool serves as a mechanism for the Crown to meet its obligations under the Resource Management Act, ensuring local authorities have accurate records of iwi and hapū representatives for consultation purposes. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) continues to integrate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi into its decision-making processes, providing guidance for iwi looking to engage with environmental applications.