Our Expertise
For All Areas
Maori & the Treaty of Waitangi
Our Maori business group offers understanding, insight and a proven track record in working with and advising iwi, corporations, local authorities and government departments.
We provide advice on a range of Treaty of Waitangi related issues, including Treaty settlements and compliance with Treaty principles, requiring a detailed understanding of the primary legislation and its interface with other areas of law. Our many years of experience has given us an in-depth appreciation of the complexity and sensitivities involved in this often high-profile area. We have also developed strong, collaborative relationships with the individuals, entities, and agencies working to address the issues affecting Maori and the Crown.
We work across our specialist practice areas to provide decisive commercial, policy, strategic, and regulatory advice. We are proven experts in iwi business development, corporate bodies, trusts, and commercial law. Our Maori business specialists also provide advice on the Te Ture Whenua Maori Land Act and the Resource Management Act, and can assist in the strategic development of relationships with Maori.
Our Experience
- Dealing with a range of issues relating to the Auckland Council engagement with Maori and the Maori Statutory Board
- Southern Pipeline - acting for applicant for this project where key issues included the cultural impact of the proposed waste water pipeline as it crossed the harbour and travelled through Maori land
- Application to subdivide land on Matakana Island, which raised cultural and Maori roadway issues
- Advice on developing working relationships with iwi, including the drafting of memoranda of understanding
- Tuaropaki Trust - obtaining resource consents for geothermal power station, and advising on finance and construction issues
- Joint venture proposals for large scale offshore marine farms
- Kapiti Western Link Road - litigation involving impacts on waahi tapu and archaeological resources
- Designations for prisons and subsequent litigation relating to the cultural impacts of new prison projects
- Tauranga City Council and NZ Transport Agency - appeals by Maori land owners against the designations for the Sandhurst Drive link and motorway interchange. We acted for the Council on the related Waitangi Tribunal and compensation issues
- Negotiations for the acquisition of land to be used by the Crown to resolve a Treaty settlement
What next?
Our People:
- Partners
- Gerald LanningGerald Lanning
- Special Counsel
- David CochraneDavid Cochrane
