Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell expects to table legislation in the second half of next year to make it easier for Maori land owners to make decisions on land use in an effort to drive agricultural business development.
The Government launched a review of the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act, which covers about 5 per cent of New Zealand's land, in a bid to reform the governance and management of Maori land. Flavell anticipates tabling legislation in Parliament by September, he said at the release yesterday of the government's reports on developing Maori agribusiness. The legislative review seeks a deal with the fragmentation among Maori land owners to tap into what's seen as the land's major economic potential.
The reports released by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Flavell form part of the Government's attempt to double primary products exports by 2025. BusinessDesk
