Simpson Grierson's Maori Business Group provide a range of commercial, policy, strategic and regulatory advice to Iwi, corporations, local authorities, government departments and The Waitangi Tribunal.

For a comment on the Foreshore and Seabed Bill 2004 click here. The Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 subsequently came into force.

We are experts in Iwi business development, corporate bodies, trusts, and commercial law. We advise clients on matters under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Land Act, the Resource Management Act, and assist in the strategic development of relationships with Maori. We also offer expert advice on Treaty of Waitangi grievance claims, including Waitangi Tribunal claim preparation, research and settlement negotiation. You can view our articles on these subjects here.

We regularly give advice on a wide range of Maori business issues, including:

• Representing iwi and hapu before the Waitangi Tribunal and in settlement negotiations with the Crown.
  
• Advising on Treaty settlement regimes to corporations looking to acquire assets that may be affected by Treaty claims or Iwi interests.
  
• Providing advice to Maori Incorporations and Maori Land Trusts on Maori Land issues and business development/implementation matters.
  
• Advising government entities e.g. Te Puni Kokiri (The Ministry for Maori Development) in the preparation of specialist materials e.g. directors' duties and obligations for Maori and providing specialist advice to the Waitangi Tribunal on a range of legislation e.g. The Crown Forest Assets Act.
  
• Providing policy and strategic advice to a range of corporations and public authorities on consultation and relationship building, forming relationship protocols and memoranda of understanding e.g. Waihi Gold, Ngati Maru, Swift Energy New Zealand Limited, Tauranga District Council and TelstraSaturn.
  
• Advising local authorities on roles and responsibilities in the provision of planning documents in terms of the Resource Management Act and the development of relationship protocols e.g. Auckland City Council, Rodney City Council and North Shore City Council.

Recent activities include:

• Addressed the 2nd Annual Maori Legal Forum on duties to consult with Maori under the Resource Management Act 1991. You can read this address here.
  
• Tuaropaki Trust - the Trust owns the land above a major geothermal field at Mokai. We successfully obtained resource consents for a 100mw geothermal power station. Then we assisted them to obtain the finance package and advised on the construction of the power station which commenced generating power in 2000.
  
• Ngati Porou/Hansol - set up this forestry joint venture between our Iwi client and Korean company Hansol. Now act for the management company. Around 7,000 hectares have been planted to date. Simpson Grierson has provided the Forestry Right documentation and dealt with all Maori land issues to enable registration of it.
  
• Raukura Moana Fisheries Ltd - advised this fishing company on general commercial and fishing related matters.
  
• Arawa Fisheries Ltd - commercial advice in relation to joint venture proposals for large scale offshore marine farming venture.
  
• WestpacTrust - ongoing banking and commercial advice to WestpacTrust's Maori Business Group as well as specialist advice in terms of Maori land issues and Maori structures and organisations from a banking perspective.
  
• Swift Energy New Zealand Ltd - strategic advice and development of protocols in relation to Tangata Whenua and Swift's significant petroleum exploration and development program.
  
• TelstraSaturn - providing assistance with consultation with Iwi groups and the preparation of protocols and memoranda of understanding.
  
• Writing an article on "Who Represents Maori" which comments on the Te Ture Whenua Maori Amendment Act 2002.  You can read this article here.
  
• Commentary on Petroleum Report released by the Waitangi Tribunal.

Our legal teams have specific areas of expertise relevant to Maori law and Treaty of Waitangi issues led by the following specialists:

Rob Fisher – Chairman, Partner
Specialises in resource management orientated projects so has developed experience in advising corporates on consultation and relationship building, forming relationship protocols and memoranda of understanding with Maori.

Andrew Caddie – Senior Associate
Provides commercial advice to Maori organisations (forestry, fishing, and development of other resources). Assists public sector and corporates on developing on-going strategic relationships with Maori. Was commissioned by the Ministry of Maori Development as lead author of the guide Forestry Investment for Maori.

Gerald Lanning - Senior Associate
Gerald has a speciality in transport issues and has a strong interest in Maori and Treaty of Waitangi issues. He gave policy advice on Maori/Treaty-related provisions during the review of the Public Works Act, and on the government's proposed rail policy options.