FAQ
Q. Why was the Trust established?
In 1988 the Crown announced its wish to sell the 90 State-owned forests.
The New Zealand Māori Council and the Federation of Māori Authorities, on behalf of all Māori, took the Crown to court to stop the sales. The court ruled that Crown and Māori negotiate a solution. The two parties reached an agreement on a process where the Crown could sell the trees, but not the land. The land was put in trust to protect Māori Treaty claims relating to that land. This agreement became law in the Crown Forest Assets Act 1989.
The main purpose of the Trust is the management and administration of interest earned on the investment of rental proceeds from Crown forest licensed land. It uses this interest to assist eligible Maori claimants in the preparation, presentation and negotiation of claims involving Crown Forest Licensed Land before the Waitangi Tribunal and Office of Treaty Settlements.
Q. How is the Trust governed?
The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, comprising of six people.
The Board of Trustees has powers and duties that are defined in the Trust Deed.
The Trustees are appointed by Appointors, also defined in the Trust Deed. These Appointors are:
- For the Crown - the Minister of Finance as Crown Appointor, appoints three Trustees.
- For Māori - the New Zealand Māori Council and the Federation of Māori Authorities appoint three Trustees.
Q. Which forests does the Trust receive rental fees from?
The location of Crown Forest Licensed Land for which the Trust receives rentals is depicted in the Forest status map.
Q. What does the Trust do?
Crown Forestry Rental Trust:
- Holds and manages Annual Rental Fees for Crown forest licensed lands.
- Invests the rentals as per its Trust Deed.
- Applies only the interest earned on the fees to help Māori claimants prepare, present and negotiate claims involving Crown forest licensed lands.
- Transfers the relevant fees to the confirmed beneficiary, when a determination of ownership has been made following a recommendation by the Waitangi Tribunal, or through settlement by direct negotiation.
Q. How does the Trust assist claimant groups?
The Trust provides funding and support to eligible claimant groups by:
- Providing advice on matters concerned with the Waitangi Tribunal inquiry process or the direct negotiation process managed by the Office of Treaty Settlements.
- Funding specific settlement related activities necessary for these processes.
- Planning and funding any research that is required to support the claimant's claim.
The Claimant Assistance and Research Services booklet sets out the Trust's policies and procedures for assisting claimant's through the Treaty Settlement process.
