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Cash for consultants is the latest strategy for developing Maori land.
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is calling for owners and trustees who want to improve their existing operations or prepare for new opportunities to apply to the new $3.2 million a year Whenua Maori Fund.
It will go on projects to assess land use capability, provide education and training for owners, identify land use options and improved land management practices, develop business and action plans, and overcome the constraints to development of particular blocks.
The fund will be managed by Te Puni Kokiri.
Mr Flavell says it’s part of the wider work programme to give Maori landowners more say and control over what happens with their land, which includes a complete rewrite of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act.
He says current use of whenua Maori by owners includes forestry, livestock, and dairy farming, or more diverse uses such as horticulture, viticulture, energy and tourism.
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