Treaty Settlements Landbank and the Protection Mechanism
We manage and maintain properties in the Treaty Settlements Landbank. This land can be used as cultural or commercial redress in a settlement.
The process for adding surplus Crown-owned land to the Landbank is called the Protection Mechanism and it is managed by the Treaty Settlements Rōpū (part of the Office for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti).
How the Protection Mechanism works
When a government department wants to sell land it no longer needs, it must first make sure that it has met any legal and policy obligations the Crown has as the owner of the land.
The Treaty Settlements Rōpū advertises surplus Crown-owned land to identify any Māori interests. Details of the properties are advertised in the Sunday Star Times and Sunday News newspapers on the following dates.
Advertising schedule 2020/2021
| Advertisement Date | Closing Date for Crown agencies to submit a surplus property | Closing Date for Applications to be lodged with The Office for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 2 August 2020 | Thursday 9 July 2020 | Friday 4 September 2020 |
| Sunday 4 October 2020 | Thursday 10 September 2020 | Friday 6 November 2020 |
| Sunday 6 December 2020 | Thursday 12 November 2020 | Friday 15 January 2021 |
| Sunday 7 February 2021 | Thursday 14 January 2021 | Friday 12 March 2021 |
| Sunday 4 April 2021 | Thursday 11 March 2021 | Friday 7 May 2021 |
| Sunday 6 June 2021 | Thursday 13 May 2021 | Friday 9 July 2021 |
Surplus Crown-owned Land June 2020: Protection Mechanism and Sites of Significance
Applications for Landbanking and/or Sites of Significance for properties in this schedule close Friday 17 July 2020.
Protection mechanism and sites of significance advertisement - June 2020 (PDF 3MB)
Further information on landbanking and the protection mechanism see below.
How to apply to Landbank a property
Any Māori group or individual who has a registered claim with the Waitangi Tribunal in the same area as the advertised land can apply to have it protected for use in a future Treaty settlement.
If the Crown agrees to keep the land it will be purchased by the Treaty Settlements Landbank. The land can then be used as cultural or commercial redress in a settlement.
Protection of Māori interests in surplus Crown-owned land: information for applicants (PDF 4MB)
Application form: Landbanking of Crown-owned land (PDF 40KB)
Current properties in the Treaty Settlements Landbank
The list of properties in the Treaty Settlements Landbank is currently being updated.
Sites of Significance to Māori
The Crown also has a responsibility to protect any wahi tapu, or other sites of significance to Māori, that are on surplus Crown-owned land. This is done separately to the Protection Mechanism process.
Applications to have Significant Sites on surplus Crown-owned land recognised are made through Te Arawhiti.
Application form: protection of a Significant Site (PDF 37KB)
Using a Landbank property in settlements
Landbank properties can be used as either cultural or commercial redress in a Treaty settlement. Properties are not put aside for any particular claimant group, even if that group applied to add them to the Landbank.
Claimants don’t have to accept Landbank property as part of their settlement. If they do, the property’s market value will be deducted from the cash payment received in the settlement.
Private land
Land that is privately owned is generally not available for use in Treaty settlements, but claimants can make their own arrangements with the owners if both parties agree. The Crown does not get involved in matters related to private land.
Contact details
- For information about the Protection Mechanism call the Ministry of Justice on 04 918 8800 and ask for the Settlement Advisor – Protection Mechanism in Te Arawhiti, or email info@justice.govt.nz
- For information about a Landbank property in your area of interest call us on 0800 665 463 or email treatysettlementslandbank@linz.govt.nz
- To ask about leasing or renting a Landbank property, call Colliers International NZ on 04 473 7910 and ask for the Treaty Settlement Property Management Team.
Information for Crown agencies
These documents provide more information for Crown agencies.
- Protection of Māori interests in surplus Crown-owned land: information for Crown agencies (PDF 2MB)
- Checklist for properties to be advertised in the Protection Mechanism and Sites of Significance process (PDF 100KB)