The Administration of Maori land in the Aotea district 1900-1927

Abstract

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the ownership and administration of Maori land was proving to be as controversial as it had been at any time since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. There was a strong desire on the part of Maori to retain and develop their land, while Europeans were equally determined to acquire that land for settlement. In an attempt to address this dilemma, Seddon's Government embarked on a Maori land policy that was a compromise of the two positions. Over the next twenty-seven years the focus of Maori land policy changed from leasing to purchasing and finally to encouraging Maori efforts in the development of their own land. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the processes of Maori land administration in the Aotea district between 1900 and 1927. This localised view is designed to focus on the effects of Maori land policy and legislation, as it impacted on Maori people in their own tribal area. The system at work is demonstrated by the analysis of the Ohotu Block. This was the first Block to be dealt with under the Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900, and was considered by Government Ministers and departmental officials as an experiment. All decisions concerning the administration of the Block were made in Wellington, with the Council acting merely as a rubberstamping body, and with little regard for the Maori land-owners opinions. It was found in this thesis that Maori land policies were highly legalised. All areas concerning land were prescribed by statute, including its administration, occupation, adjudication and management. Irrespective of the express intention of Maori land legislation, its operation was such that European interests seemed to always prevail. A reason for this was found to be in the interaction between Government ministers, senior civil servants based in Wellington, district officers (in particular the Judges of the Native Land Courts, who were also the Presidents of the Maori Land Councils/Boards), and the Maori owners of the land in question. Power, while nominally residing in the Councils, was in actuality retained by the departmental officials in Wellington. Any concessions gained from the Government was generally derived as a result of Maori pressure and initiatives.