Māori Leadership Key to Future Land Use – New Report Released
A major new report released by the Ministry for the Environment in May 2025 calls for urgent change in how Aotearoa manages its land — and makes it clear that Māori must be at the heart of that transformation.
Titled Future Use of Land and How to Fund It, the report outlines how New Zealand must move away from unsustainable land uses toward low-emissions, diversified models including horticulture, agroforestry, and conservation.
Māori at the Forefront — But Held Back by Systems
The report recognizes that Māori landowners are well-positioned to lead this shift. However, access to capital and fit-for-purpose financial tools continue to hold back Māori-led whenua development.
“The whenua is ready. Our people are ready. But the system must evolve to support Māori collectives with capital that understands intergenerational value.”
– Te Horipo Karaitiana, General Manager, Tāngata Huawhenua
Key Recommendations
- Dedicated transition funding to unlock Māori land development
- Infrastructure investment, especially irrigation and processing facilities
- Innovative capital models that share risk and align with whenua aspirations
- Capability support tailored for Māori governance and collective ownership models
Tāngata Huawhenua is calling on government, investors, and the wider finance sector to take bold action — and do so in true partnership with Māori.
A Sector Ready to Lead
Tāngata Huawhenua believes that transforming land use in Aotearoa is not only possible but essential — and Māori are ready to lead the way. With the right support, Māori landowners can build a future-focused, values-driven land economy that delivers for both people and planet.
📥 Download the Full Press Release (PDF)
Ngā mihi nui,
Rātahi Cross
Chairman, Tāngata Huawhenua Māori Horticulture Council
