Home | Te Here-ā-Nuku | Making the Tenths Whole

"It is a testament to the ongoing strength of the individuals, whānau, hapū and iwi that fought against the injustice of those early land transactions for near on 180 years, despite the strong resistance of the Crown and its officials."

Professor Claire Charters, University of Auckland, on the 2017 Supreme Court decision

High Court decision |
Stafford v Attorney-General

On 31 October 2024, the High Court released its decision regarding Stafford v Attorney-General strongly in favour of the customary Māori owners.

Since then, the Crown has lodged an appeal against the High Court’s decision.

It is deeply disappointing that the Crown continues to fight this case at every turn.

Our Commitment

Te Here-ā-Nuku | Making the Tenths Whole is a commitment to hold the Crown to account to return the whenua owed to the beneficiaries of the Nelson Tenths Reserves and to compensate them for the losses caused by the Crown’s breach of its legal duties.

We, Ngā Uri, the customary landowners, call on the Crown to stop delaying a resolution by continuing with lengthy and expensive court processes and litigation.

We believe the time is right for the Crown to restore its mana by recognising its duty and resolving this matter.

High Court decision | Stafford v Attorney-General

Our High Court hearing ended in October 2023. This short video summarises important elements of our case including the history of this kaupapa, key arguments, the visit to our rohe by the High Court Judge, and our ask of the Government ministers who are influencing our case.

“It’s about more than just the return of Trust property such as land…
It’s reconnecting families who have been disconnected;
it’s re-learning whakapapa and history and tikanga…
it’s actually about our whole identity as indigenous people.”

Pānui

Appeal date set for 2026

May 6, 2025 / Faces of whānau, Hearing update, Human rights

Appeal date set for 2026 In October 2024 we received a strong decision in our favour from the High Court

Participation in 24th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights

April 24, 2025 / Faces of whānau, Hearing update, Human rights

Participation in 24th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Rights Professor Claire Charters (Ngāti Whakaue, Tūwharetoa, Ngāpuhi and Tainui), specialist

Legal update and further submissions – April 2025

April 8, 2025 / Faces of whānau, Hearing update, Human rights

Legal update and further submissions – April 2025 At the end of October 2024, Justice Edwards released her interim High

Contact and Connection

Reconnecting whānau to whenua is integral to Making the Tenths Whole.

We are working to find and reconnect whānau who whakapapa to the Nelson Tenths and to empower them to learn more about their whakapapa and history.

Faces of Whānau

We are grateful to the many whānau and supporters who joined us at the High Court during Stafford v Attorney General and to those who share their whakaaro.

Our Tūpuna

View stories of our Tūpuna

It is time for a resolution

Following a win in the Supreme Court in 2017, which established that the Crown owes a legal duty to the beneficiaries of the Nelson Tenths Reserves, we returned to the Wellington High Court on 14 August 2023.

The purpose of the hearing was to resolve issues relating to the extent of the Crown’s breaches and liabilities, remedies and any potential Crown defences.

The ten-week hearing finished on October 27 2023. We expect a decision early-mid 2024.

The Supreme Court’s decision was the first time a New Zealand court has found that the Crown owes fiduciary duties to Māori landowners to protect their property rights. This litigation is significant and ground-breaking, for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Our whānau and hapū have been fighting for justice in this case, in some form, for more than 180 years. The time has now come for the government to pursue a principled and pragmatic resolution to this case, which serves the best interests of all parties involved.

Image: Plan of the town of Nelson 1842 showing
the ‘Native Reserves’ in green.

Three core principles underpin this kaupapa

The commitment to reconnect whānau to whenua in Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay (the Nelson Tenths Reserves area)
The commitment to Making the Tenths estate whole
The commitment to achieve justice and ensure the Crown fulfils its legal duties with respect to our whānau and hapū, the owners of the Nelson Tenths Reserves.