Learn about the key aspects of the Te Rarawa claims settlement right of first refusal (RFR).
This page is also available for download (PDF).
Note: This is a guide only and agencies must comply with the requirements of the Deed of Settlement, legislation and any relevant LINZ standards.
The following has been developed in collaboration with Te Arawhiti.
The Te Rarawa area of interest
Te Rarawa is one of five iwi of Te Hiku o Te Ika a Maui in Northland.
As this settlement involves shared RFR redress with other iwi, this page must be read in conjunction with those for:
The RFR provides for Ngāti Kahu to participate once they have settled.
The map below provides an indication of the area of interest for Te Rarawa, but is not a depiction of any RFR area.
Map showing the area of interest referred to in the Deed of Settlement between Te Rarawa and the Crown
Settlement summary
Te Rarawa received redress through its Treaty settlement with the Crown.
Iwi: Te Rarawa
Deed of Settlement signed: 28 October 2012
The Deed was amended during the settlement process.
Settlement Date: 17 December 2015
Legislation: Te Rarawa Claims Settlement Act 2015 (“the Act”)
RFR provisions: The RFR provisions are covered by sections 182-211 and Schedule 6 of the Act, and Part 3 of the Attachments to the Deed of Settlement.
Deed of Settlement - Attachments
Offer made to: The RFR offer is in favour of the trustees of one or more of the offer trusts, depending on the category of RFR land that applies to particular land
Categories of RFR land: Exclusive RFR land, shared RFR land and balance RFR land
RFR period:
Exclusive RFR land: 172 years from the settlement date (expires 2187)
Shared RFR land where the other relevant iwi includes Ngāti Kahu: 172 years from 17 December 2017 (expires 2189)
Shared RFR land where the other relevant iwi does not include Ngāti Kahu: 172 years from the settlement date (expires 2187)
Balance RFR land: 172 years from the settlement date (expires 2187)
RFR memorials: Yes
Definition of RFR land
Section 183 of the Act defines RFR land included in the settlement and sets out the categories of RFR land. Under the Act, three categories of RFR land apply to Te Rarawa. The RFR landowner will need to confirm which category of RFR land applies to particular land and who is entitled to receive an RFR offer.
Shared RFR land and exclusive RFR land includes land listed in Part 3 of the Attachments to the Deed of Settlement that, on settlement date, was vested in the Crown or held in fee simple by the Crown or Kāinga Ora-Homes and Communities (formerly, Housing New Zealand Corporation). Section 182 sets out further detail. Shared RFR land and exclusive RFR land also includes land obtained in exchange for a disposal of RFR land under specified sections. This is set out in section 183(1)(d) of the Act.
Balance RFR land is land which has been offered to, but not accepted by another offer trust, but which is still available under this RFR. In effect, the land is to be offered to trustees of the offer trusts which did not receive an offer of the land as exclusive or shared RFR land, where that first offer was not accepted by any of the offer trusts. This is set out in section 184(2) of the Act.
Balance RFR land does not include land vested in, or held by, Kāinga Ora-Homes and Communities (formerly, Housing New Zealand Corporation).
Disposals
The RFR obligation arises for any disposal that:
- transfers or vests the fee simple estate in the land, or
- grants a lease of the land for a term that is, or will be (if any rights of renewal or extension are exercised under the lease), 50 years or longer.
Preliminary notice
There is no requirement to give preliminary notice of a disposal in this settlement.
Offering the land
The RFR offer to the trustees of the offer trusts needs to include the terms of the offer, including:
- the expiry date
- the legal description and street address of the land
- any interests affecting the land
- contact details for the trustees to respond to
- which category of RFR land applies.
Expiry date of offer
The RFR offer expires on or after 20 working days after the day one or more offer trust receives the offer. However, a shorter expiry date of on or after 10 working days after the day on which an offer is received applies for any subsequent offers where the expiry date of the earlier offer was not more than 6 months before the expiry date of the later offer.
Shared RFR offers
In the case of shared RFR land, an RFR landowner must offer the land to the trustees of more than one offer trust. Shared RFR offers are made simultaneously to each relevant offer trust. A contract for sale can only be entered into with one of the offer trusts.
If the trustees of two or more offer trusts seek to accept the offer, the RFR landowner has 10 working days to notify the trustees of those two or more offer trusts. This notice must identify the trusts which have sought to accept the offer and state that the offer may be accepted by only one offer trust before the end of the 10th working day after the day on which the RFR landowner’s notice is received.
The onus is on the offer trusts to resolve which of them will accept the offer before the additional 10 working day period expires.
Balance RFR offers
An offer of balance RFR land occurs after the land has been offered to the relevant trustees of offer trust(s) as exclusive or shared RFR land. In effect, the land is to be offered to trustees of the offer trusts which did not receive an offer of the land as exclusive or shared RFR land, where that first offer was not accepted by any of the offer trusts. A balance offer must be made on the same terms (as far as practicable) as the first offer.
Only one trust can accept an offer of balance RFR land by the expiry date.
Subsequent disposal process
If the trustees of an offer trust do not accept an offer, or the offer period expires, the RFR landowner can dispose of the land provided that:
- the subsequent disposal is not on more favourable terms than those offered to the trustees
- the land is being disposed of within 2 years after expiry of the RFR offer and
- the trustees of the offer trusts that were offered the land are notified of the proposed disposal at least 20 working days before the disposal occurs.
This notification must provide details of the disposal, including the name of the person to whom the land is being disposed of and an explanation of how the disposal complies with section 184 of the Act, and a copy of the written contract to demonstrate that the subsequent disposal is not on more favourable terms than the RFR offer.
Exempted disposals
Certain disposals can occur without making an RFR offer. These exempted disposals are set out in sections 190-201 of the Act.
The trustees of the offer trusts must be notified of the proposed exempted disposal at least 20 working days before the disposal occurs, including an explanation of why the disposal is exempted under the settlement.
Section 200 provides that specific exemptions apply to disposals of RFR land by Housing New Zealand Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. However, section 20 of the Kāinga Ora-Homes and Communities Act 2019 provides that Kāinga Ora-Homes and Communities may not exercise the powers conferred upon Housing New Zealand Corporation or any of its subsidiaries by section 200 of the Act.
Section 20 of the Kāinga Ora-Homes and Communities Act 2019
RFR Memorials
All records of title for RFR land must be noted with a memorial protecting the Trust’s interests.
If an RFR landowner creates a new record of title for an RFR property after settlement date, the landowner must advise LINZ as soon as possible so LINZ can place a memorial noting the RFR on the title.
In certain cases, the RFR landowner must seek a certificate from LINZ, requesting the removal of the RFR memorial, before a transfer can occur.
Note that memorials here relate to exclusive RFR land and shared RFR land, but not balance RFR land. Attention must be given to the specific requirements within the Deed and Act to determine who is entitled to receive an RFR offer in each circumstance.
Contact details
For more information about the Te Rarawa claims settlement contact:
Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa
PO Box 361
KAITAIA 0441
Te Rarawa Trust website
Land Information New Zealand
PO Box 5501
WELLINGTON 6145
Land Information New Zealand website
Te Arawhiti – The Office for Māori Crown Relations
SX10111
WELLINGTON 6011
Te Arawhiti website
Related Content
Te Kāhui Māngai (Directory of Iwi and Māori Organisations) website