For more than 30 years the Ngāti Rārua and Te Māhurehure leader has dedicated himself to seeking restitution associated with the Nelson Tenths and Occupation Lands.
The land in question was purchased during settlement in the 1840s and was supposed to be reserved for Māori, but never was.
The Honours list said Morgan’s efforts included years of research and travel nationwide to engage with families affected.
The claim was settled in 2017 when the Supreme Court recognised the Crown owed legally binding duties to Māori landowners, independently of the Treaty of Waitangi or statute.
Despite the 2017 settlement, some legal wranglings have continued.
The Supreme Court determined the Crown had a duty to reserve this land for the benefit of the customary owners, but questions of liability, loss and remedy were unresolved.
Since the Supreme Court decision, efforts have been made to seek a moratorium preventing any sale of land held by Crown entities and agents, and state-owned enterprises.
And as Open Justice reported in September, Morgan has been prominent in ongoing efforts to remedy the situation.
Morgan’s contributions have extended beyond the Nelson Tenths and Occupation Lands.
He was the recipient of the Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Whakahaere Māori, Māori Governance Award in 2019.
That accolade was bestowed during that year’s University of Auckland Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.
“Under Paul’s leadership, Wakatū has adopted an ambitious values-based intergenerational strategy that spans 500 years – Te Pae Tawhiti,” the university said at the time.
“He has been closely involved with a range of Māori rights and interests issues involving natural resources, including fishing, aquaculture and forestry,” Wakatū Incorporation said on its website.
“In particular, he has been a strong advocate for Māori land owners and Māori business.”
Wakatū Incorporation said Morgan had experience as a director and in governance roles in the public and private sectors across agribusiness, property, science, innovation, entrepreneurial start-ups and business generally.
Morgan has been alternative director of nutraceutical company Anagenix since 2011.
And he has been director and chairman of vertically integrated, family-owned Māori food and beverage producer Kono New Zealand LP since 2011.
He is also director, chairman and member of organisations including the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the New Zealand China Council.
Morgan was previously appointed a companion of the Queen’s Service Order in 2010 for services to Māori business and Māori
And last year, Morgan was one of nine business leaders inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.
