Topic
Crown property, Māori and iwi
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Right of First Refusal guide

Learn about the key aspects of the Rangitāne o Manawatū 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.

Te Arawhiti website

The Rangitāne o Manawatū area of interest

The Rangitāne o Manawatū rohe follows the Manawatū River, extending north to the Rangitīkei River, from the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges to the West Coast Region, and south to the Manawatū River Mouth.

The map below provides an indication of the area of interest for Rangitāne o Manawatū, but is not a depiction of any RFR area.

The Rangitāne o Manawatū rohe follows the Manawatū River, extending north to the Rangitīkei River, from the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges to the West Coast Region, and south to the Manawatū River Mouth.

Map showing the area of interest referred to in the Deed of Settlement between Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Crown.

Image description

A map with a highlighted area which shows the Rangitāne o Manawatū rohe, which follows the Manawatū River, extending north to the Rangitīkei River, from the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges to the West Coast Region, and south to the Manawatū River Mouth.

Settlement summary

Rangitāne o Manawatū received redress through its Treaty settlement with the Crown.

Iwi: Rangitāne o Manawatū

Deed of Settlement signed: 14 November 2015

Rangitāne o Manawatū Deed of Settlement

Settlement Date: 2 March 2017

Legislation: Rangitāne o Manawatu Claims Settlement Act 2016 (“the Act”)

Rangitāne o Manawatu Claims Settlement Act 2016

RFR provisions: The RFR provisions are covered by sections 109-137 and Schedule 4 of the Act.

Sections 109-137 of the Act

Schedule 4 of the Act

Offer made to: The RFR offer is in favour of the trustees of the Rangitāne o Manawatu Settlement Trust (the “trustees”)

RFR period: 171 years on and from the settlement date (expires in 2188)

RFR memorials: Yes

Definition of RFR land

Section 110 of the Act defines RFR land included in the settlement. It includes all the land listed in the RFR schedule in Part 3 of the Attachments to the Deed that, on settlement date, was vested in or held in fee simple by the Crown.

RFR land also includes land obtained in exchange for a disposal of RFR land under specified sections. This is set out in section 110(1)(b) of the Act.

Section 110 of the Act

Deed of Settlement – Attachments

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 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

Section 112 of the Act

Expiry date of offer

The RFR offer expires on or after 20 working days after the day the trustees receive 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.

Section 113 of the Act

Subsequent disposal process

If the trustees 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 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 111 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.

Section 111 of the Act

Section 129 of the Act

Exempted disposals

Certain disposals can occur without making an RFR offer to the trustees. These exempted disposals are set out in sections 117-127 of the Act. 

Sections 117-127 of the Act

The trustees 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 129 of the Act

RFR Memorials

All records of title for RFR land must be noted with a memorial protecting the trustees’ interest.

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. 

Section 128 of the Act

In certain cases, the RFR landowner must seek a certificate from LINZ requesting the removal of the RFR memorial, before a transfer can occur.

Section 130 of the Act

Contact details

For more information about the Rangitāne o Manawatu claims settlement contact:

Rangitāne o Manawatu Settlement Trust
PO Box 1042
Palmerston North Central
PALMERSTON NORTH 4440
Rangitāne o Manawatū website

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand
PO Box 5501
WELLINGTON 6145
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand website

Te Arawhiti – The Office for Māori Crown Relations
SX10111
WELLINGTON 6011
Te Arawhiti website
Email: postsettlement@tearawhiti.govt.nz

Related content

Te Kāhui Māngai (Directory of Iwi and Māori Organisations) website

Treaty Settlements website

Toitū Te Whenua information on rights of first refusal

Search LINZ regulatory standards