Māori

We understand that all iwi and Māori organisations are not the same and have their own aspirations and drivers. We have a reputation for listening to what our clients want to achieve and then assisting them to achieve those goals.

We also work with a number of non-Māori clients to assist them in their relationships with iwi and Māori organisations, in order to achieve mutual goals.​

Bell Gully was named among the top New Zealand law firms for Māori Law, Māori Groups and​ Te Tiriti o Waitangi-related matters in Doyles Guide 2021. Partner Rachael Brown was recognised as a recommended lawyer in the guide, identified by clients and peers for her expertise and abilities in these areas.​

Advising Ngāi Tahu Property on all aspects of the operation of the right of first refusal held by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.

Advising Ngāi Tahu Property on a number of major property and infrastructure development projects and joint ventures.

Advised Ngāi Tahu Property on its "quasi-PPP" joint venture with Christchurch City Council for the NZ$135 million Christchurch Civic Building redevelopment project.

Acted for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in Court cases including on the jurisdiction of the Waitangi Tribunal, the interpretation of mining legislation and the ownership of pounamu, the Tītī Islands and the establishment of a taiapure (local fishery).

Tainui Group Holdings
Advising Tainui on its proposed inland port and its commercial and industrial development at Ruakura. This has involved strategic input and establishing the development in the regional policy instruments and then assisting Tainui with its Board of Inquiry and subsequent district plan processes.

Advised Tainui on its investments in Waikato Milking Systems and Go Bus, in each case in venture with Ngāi Tahu.

Advised the joint venture (Auckland International Airport Limited, Accor and Tainui Group Holdings) on the arrangements hotel to be developed on Auckland International Airport land. This included negotiating a ground lease, management and construction contract, and finalising financing arrangements.

Advised Tainui on the development, construction, leasing and resource management aspects of Hamilton's largest retail outlet The Base retail centre in Te Rapa, Hamilton which was constructed on a former air force base.

Settlement challenges
Acted for Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua in the Waitangi Tribunal and the High Court in challenges to its settlement with the Crown.

Acted for the Trustees of Nga Kaihautu o Te Arawa Executive Council in a High Court challenge to the negotiation of, and mandate for, its Treaty settlement.

Central North Island geothermal projects
Advised Tauhara North No.2 Trust as the owner of the Rotokawa geothermal field and development right holder of the Ngatamariki geothermal field in the Central North Island on the commercialisation of these fields. This included the joint venture for the construction of the 140MW Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station and acting for Tauhara North No.2 Trust on the financing arrangements entered into by the Trust to fund its 35% participating interest in the Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station​.

Advised Okere 1B 3C 3 and Adjoining Blocks Incorporated and Ruahine & Kuharua Incorporated on the Te ia a Tutea geothermal development agreement signed with Mighty River Power in 2011, on the potential development of the geothermal resource in the central North Island.

Advising No1, Rotoiti 15 and Mat​​awhaura on the potential development of the Matata geothermal resource in the Central North Island.

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited
Advising Aotearoa Fisheries on significant commercial and strategic matters, including the acquisitions of the processing and quota assets of Anton's Seafoods, the OceaNZ Blue paua farm operation at Bream Bay and processing capacity on the Chatham Islands.

Port Marlborough
Advised Port Marlborough on its strategic relationship agreements with Te Atiawa, on Waikawa Bay and reclamations, and the wider relationship aspirations of the parties.