The Māori Purposes Bill

Public submissions are currently being sought on the Māori Purposes Bill which amends various Acts, including the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955 and the Māori Fisheries Act 2004.

The amendments to the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955 are intended to make Māori Trust Boards more directly accountable to their beneficiaries, rather than to the Minister of Māori Affairs. 

The amendments to the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 are particularly relevant for iwi that:

• Have Mandated Iwi Organisations (“MIO”) holding the iwi fisheries settlement assets; and
• Are looking to settle their Treaty claims with the Crown in the near or not-so-near future.

Under the proposed changes, it may be possible for your new PSGE to also be the MIO for your iwi.

The closing date for submissions on the Māori Purposes Bill is 4 March.

For more details about the changes proposed to the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955, and making submissions, see our articles on changes to the Māori Trust Boards Act 1955 and changes to the Māori Fisheries Act 2004.