In 1986 Rore co-lodged the Wai 56 Claim on behalf of descendants of the Māori customary owners of the Nelson Tenths’ Lands and Occupation Lands in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay, and he has led the team dedicated to seeking restitution for more than 30 years.

Rore was active in the group that worked on land reforms that had a direct impact on the Māori Reserved Lands Amendment Act 1997. Rore’s service to Māori was recognised when he was made Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019.  

Over the decades Rore has provided significant service to whānau, hapū and iwi, and advocates for and contributes to the wellbeing of the Te Tauihu community.

Rore was a founding member of the Maniapoto Marae PACT Trust and has long-standing governance roles at Kaputuhi Marae, the Maniapoto Trust Board, Pukepoto Farm Trust, and Wakatū Incorporation.  

Kaumātua Rore Stafford is a member of Ngā Uri and a descendant of the tūpuna determined by the Native Land Court 1892 as the original customary owners of the Nelson Tenths’ Reserves.