East Coast land owner fighting back against century-old law
The land, which is leased out to a number of groups, provides a paltry income for its beneficiaries and is subject to legislation which severely limits the owners' options.
In Tokomaru Bay, about 90km north of Gisborne, Tina Olsen-Ratana is one of the beneficial owners of Māori Reserve land known as the Tuatini Township Blocks.
The three blocks contain a total of 13 sections, home to old shops, accommodation, and residential property.
But Olsen-Ratana says the group has no control over who leases it, how long it is leased for, or even what kind of businesses or buildings occupy the space.
At the centre of the issue is an arrangement called perpetual leasing, which dates back to legislation at the turn of the last century.
Link to article: Locked out: East Coast land owner fighting back against century-old law | RNZ News
