A parliamentary select committee is seeking public submissions on legislation to return land to Nelson Tenths customary owners, with the deadline set for 6 July.
The bill passed its first reading in parliament last month and would enable the Crown to transfer land to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust on behalf of customary landowners. The legislation covers 3068 hectares across Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay, including portions of Abel Tasman National Park.
The bill follows a 2017 Supreme Court decision that found the Crown had obligations arising from an 1830s agreement between the Crown, New Zealand Company and Māori. Under that deal, Māori selling 151,100 acres in the top of the South Island were to retain one-tenth of the area, but received less than 3000 acres.
Kaumātua Rore Stafford filed suit against the Crown in 2010 representing Ngā Uri, descendants of tūpuna listed in the 1893 Native Land Court record. Last year then Attorney-General Judith Collins and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced an agreement that includes the land return and $420 million in compensation for land that cannot be returned.
The legislation sets out arrangements for trust land that may remain in conservation or reserve use.