Ministry of Justice / Tāhū o te Ture

In June 2003 the New Zealand Court of Appeal ruled that the Maori Land Court had the jurisdiction to investigate customary title to the foreshore and seabed. The government believed it was necessary to legislate to ensure:

• public access now and in the future; certainty in respect of rights and interests in the public foreshore and seabed;
• regulation of rights and interests of all New Zealanders; and protection of existing customary rights.

The Foreshore and Seabed Act provides for Crown ownership of the public foreshore and seabed, on behalf of all New Zealanders.

Find out more about the Ministry of Justice here.

The Waitangi Tribunal and the Office of Treaty Settlements are part of the Ministry of Justice.