Wakatū owners descend from the original Māori land owners in Te Tauihu (Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay regions) and are descendants of four iwi, namely Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama, and Te Ātiawa.

Wakatū Shares total 10,442,592.46 and this never changes; however the number of owners changes as the number of descendants grows. Currently there are approximately 4,000 shareholders.

Succession

When a shareholder passes away, it is important to transfer his or her Māori land shares and interests to the person(s) entitled to receive those interests. They are called the successors and the process is called succession.

To legally transfer the land interests of a person to his or her successors, a succession order is normally issued by the Māori Land Court.

The person(s) entitled to receive the interests in Māori land are set out in sections 108 and 109 of the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

Successors include:

  • The children (includes legally adopted children and may include whāngai).

  • If the landowner had no children, the successors are their natural brothers and sisters.

  • If there are no children or siblings then the Court will make a determination as to who the beneficiaries are.

Whānau Trusts

A Whānau Trust allows a family to bring together and consolidate the land interests of a person alive or deceased.

Interest in Māori lands can be brought together under a Whānau Trust and all income received can be applied for the purposes of promoting the advancement of those named in the Whānau Trust Order.

Whānau Trusts are a tool that ensures succession to multiple people does not leave them with fragmented shareholdings. Wakatu strongly encourages shareholders to utilise Whānau Trusts in order to avoid this situation.

Transfer of Ownership

Tuku Whenua

Shares may be transferred as a gift or as a sale to a person in any one of the following groups:

(a)  Children and remoter issue (for example, grandchildren).

(b)  Whanaunga who are associated in accordance with Tikanga Māori with the land vested in Wakatū.

(c)  Other beneficial owners of the land who are members of the hapu associated with the land vested in Wakatū.

(d)  Trustees of persons referred to in any of Paragraphs (a) to (c) of this definition.

(e)  Descendants of any former owner who is or was a member of the hapu associated with the land vested in Wakatū.

(f)  A shareholder in Wakatū who is also a member of the hapu associated with the land vested in Wakatū.

Please contact Pou Whakahere Whakapapa for an application form.

Buying or selling shares

To assist owners who wish to buy or sell shares, we provide an online space where owners can introduce themselves to each other. This service is independent of the Incorporation and must be used in accordance with our policies.

When looking to sell or purchase Wakatū shares, please be aware of the following:

  • Wakatū is not liable for the outcome of any sales. We act purely in the role of a conduit by providing a way for sellers and buyers to meet;

  • Any negotiations and discussions relating to the shares must take place directly between the owners. Under no circumstances will Wakatū assist in this regard.

  • The market value for the sale of shares by a shareholder is negotiable between the seller and the purchaser;

  • We strongly recommend that you seek independent legal and financial advice before agreeing on a sale price;

  • Please note that the purchaser must be aged 20 years or over. Otherwise the shares will need to be transferred into a trustee’s name;

  • The minimum number of shares that may be transferred is 100.

We provide a share transfer form to be completed and signed by both the seller and purchaser and a declaration to be completed by the purchaser.

Please contact Pou Whakahere Whakapapa for an application form.

Unclaimed Dividends

View the latest list of Wakatū shareholders who have unclaimed dividends waiting to be claimed.

Whakapapa enquiries

Please contact Te Tāhuhu team with all whānau enquiries including whānau trusts, whakapapa, shareholding, succession, and Māori Land Court queries.

Celia Hawea
Pouhere Whakapapa, Whakapapa Team Manager
Email: celia@wakatu.org
Call +64 3  539 0811