What We Do

Crown Forestry Rental Trust works to facilitate the settlement of claims that involve or could involve Crown forest licensed lands.  The Trust:

• Holds and manages Annual Rental Fees for Crown forest licensed lands.
• Invests the rentals as per the Trust Deed.
• Applies only the interest earned on the fees to assist Māori claimants to prepare, present and negotiate claims involving Crown forest licensed lands.
• Transfers the relevant fees to the confirmed beneficiary, when a determination of ownership has been made following a recommendation by the Waitangi Tribunal, or through settlement by direct negotiation with the Crown.

Why Claimants need assistance in the Settlement Process

Claimants preparing for and engaging in the Treaty settlement process must commit time, effort and resources in order to advance their claims.  Minimum requirements include:

• Evidence of a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Evidence that claimants have suffered prejudice as a result.
• A defined claimant group with identified geographical boundaries, whakapapa and recognition from neighbouring groups.
• Leadership skills and a high level of organisation.

Working within the Trust’s Deed, the Trust seeks to provide information and services to assist qualifying claimant groups to successfully navigate this process.

Trust Services for Claimants

To further the Trust's core purpose to assist claimant groups to prepare, present and negotiate their claims, the Trust provides the following services.

• Funding.
• Research planning, contracting and quality control.
• Relationship brokering between claimant groups and other key participants in the settlement process.
• Information about the Treaty settlement process.

All the Trust's operating costs, and assistance to claimants, are paid solely from the interest earned on Annual Rental Fees.  This means that the principal sum of accumulating Annual Rental Fees is preserved for the owner.