Alex
Hopkins,
He
Mihi.
Huutia te rito o te harakeke, Kei whea te koomako e koo.
Whakatae rangatira, Rere ki uta, rere ki tai.
Ka patae te patae, He aha te mea nui o teenei ao?
Koo te whakautu,
he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Indigenous development of land
globally has been traditionally constrained by the dominant sector of society.
The focus on the importance of land to indigenous people contrasts with the
predominant world view. This research provides a pragmatic approach to
asset-development of Maaori land in North Waikato, an area where, because of the
fragmented nature of the land, has largely been ignored by the literature.
The research provides a variation
to the current management approach of Maaori land by exploring investment
opportunities for their owners. This may ultimately create sustainable solutions
to the question of multiple ownership and its purported adverse, cumulative
consequences. But multiple-ownership must continue, this research contends, to
guarantee a continued link to Papatuaanuku and Rangi-nui-aa-tea for iwi, whanau
and hapuu through land ownership.
A case study model was used based
on facility development and designed to compare current and proposed land-uses
identified in the research. The purpose of the case study model was to provide
insights into the attitudes and feelings of current owners towards their lands
revealed in a written survey. While the survey sample size was small, there were
sufficient responses to undertake qualitative analyses. The
case study carried out in North Waikato drew responses that largely supported
the challenges to developing Maaori land identified in the literature.
The research applied Ricardian
economic theory to optimise the utilization and long-term viability of Maaori
land in North Waikato for their owners. Within the case study, a feasibility study was
undertaken on the land-use option providing the highest economic rent. A
mainstream financial institution provided feedback on the study and identified
monetary constraints as the major barrier preventing its viability. However,
mainstream institutions do not factor Maaori attitudes to land into their
lending criteria and have no qualms about forcing mortgagee sales in the event
of default of debt by Maaori. This factor is an important consideration for
Maaori when entering into mainstream financial contractual agreements.
While the research highlights alternative
land-use opportunities for Maaori land owners in North Waikato, it has
widespread applications. Despite the barriers or challenges identified through
the decades in the literature, this research contends the compounding effects of
multiple ownership and its burden on future generations, demands further study
particularly valuing Maaori attitudes.