Māori business and law | Pakihi Māori me te Ture

Protecting intergenerational assets while growing resources for future generations are key motivators for many of the iwi and Māori organisations we work with. To do so today draws on a wide array of legal skills.

Ko te tiaki i ngā rawa tuku iho me te pupuri ki ngā rauemi mā ngā reanga o te anamata ētahi o ngā ākitanga matua o te tini iwi me te huhua whakahaere Māori e mahi tahi nei mātou.

All Expertise

The Māori economy has been built by a huge range of iwi, Māori enterprises and organisations, each with their own aspirations and drivers. While an eye on the future may be common ground, many of you face diverse challenges.

I hua ake te ōhanga Māori i ngā iwi, i ngā hinonga me ngā whakahaere Māori maha. Kei tēnā me tēnā ō rātou anō wawata me ō rātou anō ākitanga. Ahakoa ko koutou katoa kei te titiro ki te anamata, he kanorau tonu ngā wero e pā atu ana ki a koutou.

We have stood alongside Māori clients for many decades, having advised on some of the most significant Treaty settlements of the 1990s, like the ground-breaking agreement between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Crown. Now, as then, our approach is to listen to what you want to achieve, and work alongside you to reach your goals by drawing on relationships, experience and commercial understanding.

He ngahurutau huhua te roa o tā mātou tū tahi ki ngā kiritaki Māori, nā mātou i tohutohu ētahi o ngā whakataunga Tiriti hirahira katoa o ngā tau o 1990, pēnei i te whakaaetanga pierenuku i waenga i Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu me te Karauna. Ā mohoa nei, ko tā mātou tukanga ko te whakarongo ki tāu e whai nei me te mahi tahi ki a koe ki te whakatutuki i ō whāinga mā te whirinaki ki ngā hononga, ki ngā wheako, me te māramatanga arumoni.

Today our work spans all the major issues faced by iwi and Māori entities, from commercial development to the protection of settlements and recognition of rights and interests. From fisheries to forestry and major infrastructure projects, we often serve to bring together non-Māori clients and iwi and Māori organisations in pursuit of shared aims.

I ēnei rā nei, e hōrapa ana ā mātou mahi ki ngā take nui e pā atu ana ki ngā iwi me ngā hinonga Māori, pēnei i ngā whakawhanaketanga arumoni, te tiakitanga o ngā whakataunga, me te whakamihi i ngā mōtika me ngā whaipāngatanga. Mai i ngā kaupapa moana ki te ngahere me ngā kaupapa tūāhanga nui, he rite tonu tā mātou whai ki te whakakotahi i ngā kiritaki toto-Māori-kore me ngā iwi, me ngā whakahaere Māori ki te whakaea i ngā wawata ōrite.

^{Bell Gully was named among the recommended New Zealand law firms for Māori Law, Māori Land and Te Tiriti o Waitangi-related matters in the latest Doyles Guide 2023. Partner Rachael Brown has previously been recognised as a recommended lawyer in the guide, identified by clients and peers for her expertise and abilities in these areas.}

^{I whakaingoatia a Bell Gully i Doyles Guide (2023) e mea ana koia te tari ture ka tūtohutia i Aotearoa mō te Ture Māori, mō ngā Take Whenua Māori me ngā take e hāngai ana ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi. He wā hoki tōna i whakamihia te Hautū nei, a Rachael, hei rōia tūtohu i taua aratohu. I tohua ia e ngā kiritaki me ōna hoa mahi i runga i tōna mātangatanga me ōna āheitanga i roto i aua kaupapa rā.}

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Advising on proceedings addressing Treaty of Waitangi Settlement obligations, including under the Relativity Mechanism, and judicial review proceeding where tikanga resolution process was directed by High Court.

Tainui Group Holdings

Advising on a range of corporate, commercial and development projects including in relation to the Ruakura Inland Port, The Base shopping centre, Auckland airport hotel developments, Ruakura Energy and forestry assets, as well as advising on corporate governance matters.

Crown Forest Rental Trust and Forestry Emission Unit Trust

Advised on their obligations under trust deeds and legislation.

Tauhara North No 2

Advising across the Trust’s business including issues relating to the Ngāti Tūwharetoa settlement with the Crown, on its refinancing of its power and geothermal assets, on its acquisitions of Tamaki Tours and Rapidsjet, and development of residential apartment dwellings.

Waikato-Tainui

Advised on government reforms to ensure their Treaty settlement is upheld including the current proposed RMA reforms, and previously the proposed Three Waters Reforms.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) settlements

Assisting a number of iwi dealing with challenges to settlements including High Court proceedings, Waitangi Tribunal claims, and assisting with submissions to select committees.

Local and regional councils

Advising councils on engagement with iwi for a range of projects and outcomes, including acting for Tauranga City Council in proceedings in the Environment Court brought by an iwi, and the provision of advice on a relationship agreement with iwi.