Establishment

Crown Forestry Rental Trust was set up under the Crown Forest Assets Act 1989, after the New Zealand Māori Council and Federation of Māori Authorities took court action to protect Māori interests in the Crown’s commercial forests.

The Act allowed the Crown to sell licences for forestry, but prevented it from selling the land itself until the Waitangi Tribunal recommends who has ownership of the land - Māori or the Crown. 

On 30 April 1990, Māori and Crown representatives signed a Trust Deed to establish Crown Forestry Rental Trust. 

Founding Documents

Forestry Agreement 1989

Made between the Crown, and the NZMC and FOMA; plus the amending Deed made on 17 October 1989.

The Crown Forest Assets Act 1989

This Act provided for:

• Management of the Crown's forest assets.
• Transfer of those assets, while protecting the claims of Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975.
• Transfer of Crown forest licensed lands to Māori ownership and payment of compensation in the case of successful claims under that Act.

Trust Deed for Crown Forestry Rental Trust, April 1990

Key provisions include:

• The purpose and duration of the Trust.
• Trust funds.
• Number of Trustees.
• Appointment of Trustees.
• Powers, duties and liability of Trustees.
• Removal of Trustees.
• Payments to claimants.
• Allocation and distribution of Trust funds.
• Procedure on winding up.