History of the Land

• Vested lands
• Resumption programme
• Land Management Configuration.

History of the Land

Between 1902 & 1904 Whanganui Maori landowners vested approximately 101,000 acres in the Aotea District Maori Land Council.  This vested land was then leased by the Council under a “Glasgow” lease regime - perpetually renewable leases with 21 year rent reviews – with rental set a 5% of unimproved value.  The improvements on the land were developed, owned and managed by the lessee.

AWHI was established in 1970 following an order of the Māori Land Court.  Its purpose was to take back (resume) the 42,000 hectares of land vested into the Aotea Māori Land Council by Whanganui Māori.

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Under imposed legislation, the opportunity to resume leased land only occurred at the end of a 21 years lease cycle, or when a lessee sought to surrender their lease early.  To resume land AWHI had to purchase the improvements from lessees as well stock the property. 

Over the past 30 years AWHI has progressively resumed land as opportunity and money have became available.  Prior to 2002, land resumptions were financed from profit and investments.  Fear of the rapid rise in land and livestock prices compelled AWHI to finance resumed lands by way of Bank loans.  Last year a possible resumption was placed on “hold” because of concerns about AWHI’s current high level of debt.

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