May 18, 2016
Land consolidation key to development
Northland Maori land owners are being urged to collectivise their land holdings so it can achieve its potential.
A hui in Kerikeri today is discussing a report on ways to make better use of almost 4000 parcels of Maori land in a 50 kilometre radius around Kaikohe.
The report by consulting firm KPMG was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Runanga-A-Iwi-O-Ngapuhi and the Far North District Council.
It says while the total land area is 80,000 hectares, the average block size is 21 hectares and each block has in average 63 owners.
About 4800 hectares is classed 1 to 3, suitable for dairy production, and another 48,000 hectares in classes 4 to 6 could sustain shep and beef.
It estimates the land returns about $13 million a year and provides fewer than 100 jobs, but with consolidation into 500 hectare units for pastoral production, or 100 hectares for horticulture, it could provide more than 250 jobs and bring in $48 million a year.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says the real challenge is not so much the physical change, but the organisational change required to make this happen.
He says the Government’s Maori land law reform will make it easier for land owners to better utilise their land.
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