Skip to content

Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust

Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust holds and protects the land and compensation returned through the Resolution Agreement signed with the Crown on 17 December 2025.

 

The Trust has been established to carry forward the original aspirations of the Nelson Tenths agreement, and to support the wellbeing and advancement of Ngā Uri, the  beneficiaries of the Trust, now and for future generations.

Introduction of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill

Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill has been introduced to Parliament.

The Bill provides for the transfer of legal title of private Nelson Tenths land from the Crown, as former trustee, to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust.

The First Reading took place on 25 June 2026.

Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill

Never Give Up

Kaumātua Rore Stafford reflects on resolving the longstanding Nelson Tenths litigation.

“There are moments in our history that feel like endings. Signatures are placed, agreements reached, numbers settled. But every so often, those moments are not endings at all - they are thresholds. The resolution of Te Here-ā-Nuku, the Nelson Tenths, is one such moment."


Hemi Sundgren, Trustee

Current Phase

Since the Resolution Agreement was signed on 17 December 2025, Trustees have been establishing the governance and operational foundations of Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust. This includes the development of relevant legislation, preparing for the transfer of lands and assets and developing the Ngā Uri registration system, which is expected to commence in 2027.

Timeline

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1839-1841

New Zealand Company (NZC) negotiations begin with customary owners of lands in the Nelson, Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere and Golden Bay / Mohua.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1841

Customary owners agree to the New Zealand Company settlement on the understanding that one tenth of the land would be reserved for them, and pā, urupā and cultivations would be excluded from the sale.  

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1845

Commissioner William Spain recommends that 151,000 acres be granted to the New Zealand Company, subject to 15,100 acres being reserved for the customary owners and occupied lands being excluded. This is known as the Spain Award.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1845 onwards

The Crown fails to reserve the full 15,100 acres and to exclude all occupied lands. Customary owners advocate for the Crown to meet its obligations.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

By 1850

Nelson Tenths lands now total just 3,953 acres. Over subsequent decades, more Tenths land is lost or sold.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1893

Native Land Court determines Māori owners of the Nelson Tenths Reserves.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1977

Wakatū Incorporation created to administer the remaining Nelson Tenths Reserves land.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

1986

WAI 56 (Nelson Tenths) claim filed by Hohepa Solomon and Rore Stafford on behalf of customary owners.

Nelson Tenths Agreement​

2008

Change in government policy means Wai 56 can not progress through the Treaty Settlement process.

Litigation and advocacy

2010

Kaumātua Rore Stafford files private law proceedings in the High Court  on behalf of the customary owners (CIV-2010-442-181).

Litigation and advocacy

2010–2017

The case works its way through the courts, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court.

Litigation and advocacy

2017

Landmark Supreme Court decision confirms the Crown owed legally enforceable duties to reserve 15,100 acres for the customary owners and to exclude pā, urupā and cultivations from the land granted under the Spain Award.  

Litigation and advocacy

2023

UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples visits Te Tauihu to learn about the Nelson Tenths litigation.

Litigation and advocacy

2023

Stafford v Attorney-General: Ten-week High Court hearing begins in Wellington.

Resolution and transition

October 2024

High Court issues decision in Stafford v Attorney-General, finding that the land still owned by the Crown within the Spain Award area is held on trust for customary owners.

Resolution and transition

July 2025

High Court formally removes the Crown as trustee and appoints Te Here-ā-Nuku Trustees.

Resolution and transition

July 2025

Formal confidential discussions begin with the Crown with a view to resolving the litigation.

Resolution and transition

December 2025

Te Here ā Nuku Trust Deed finalised.

Resolution and transition

17 December 2025

Historic Resolution Agreement signed in Wellington, bringing the Nelson Tenths litigation to a full and final end.

Te Here-ā-Nuku today

2025-2026

Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust establishment and transition phase, setting up the legal, strategic, governance and operational systems neede to operate.

Te Here-ā-Nuku today

22 June 2026

Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill introduced to Parliament to implement the Resolution Agreement and provide for the transfer of legal title from the Crown to Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust.

Te Here-ā-Nuku today

25 June 2026

First Reading of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill at Parliament.

1839-1841
1841
1845
1845 onwards
By 1850
1893
1977
1986
2008
2010
2010-2017
2017
2023
2023
October 2024
July 2025
August 2025
December 2025
17 December 2025
2025-2026
22 June 2026
25 June 2026

Pānui

Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust | Final submission on Bill

7 July 2026 /
Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust | Final submission on Bill   Please find below a copy of Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust’s submission to
Read More >>

Template for submission in support of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill

1 July 2026 /
Template for submission in support of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill Public submissions on Te Here ā Nuku
Read More >>

First Reading of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill

23 June 2026 /
First Reading of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill   The First Reading of Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson
Read More >>
See more pānui >

Contact and Connection

Reconnecting with Ngā Uri is a central part of the Trust’s work. The Trust is developing the Ngā Uri registration system with formal registration expected to commence in 2027.

In the meantime, if you whakapapa to the tūpuna recognised by the High Court, we encourage you to complete the Contact and Connection form. This is not a formal registration process, but it means we can stay in touch and keep you informed as the system is developed.

Your information will be added to our contact list.

Tūpuna recognised by the High Court
Join our Contact List