I hope everyone has coped with the January storm which has been devastating and we are all saddened by the loss of life, despite best efforts, in many parts of the country.
Otherwise, although tempered by the storm, I hope that like me you had a good family time at Christmas and the New Year followed by some welcome relaxation at one of New Zealand’s many beautiful places.
Our Coalition Government continued to work right up until Christmas, and I made a quick trip to Japan to discuss defence in the South Pacific with my counterparts there in the week before.
While in Tokyo I discussed regional security issues with Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi.
Japan is an important partner for New Zealand, with both our countries committed to international order and stability.
Historic agreement for Top of South Island land
I was proud to announce the righting of a long-standing wrong with my colleague Hon Tama Potaka just before Christmas. It involves the return of the ownership of approximately 3,068 hectares of land at the top of the South Island to the descendants of its original owners, Te Tauihu Maori, following a long-standing private litigation.
This is not a Treaty Settlement it is simply a case of returning land to its rightful and legal owners. Originally the case was a private property litigation brought by Kaumātua Rore Stafford against the Crown in 2010 but it originated in the 1840s when the Crown agreed to reserve 15,100 acres (6,110 hectares) – which was a tenth of the land being granted to the New Zealand Company at the time - for the land’s original owners and their descendants. The agreement to reserve the land was in part-payment for the company’s purchase of the land.
The Crown failed to keep its side of the deal but in 2017 the Supreme Court ruled it had a legal duty to return it to the original owners. In 2024 the High Court confirmed that the land, in parts of Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay, had been held on trust by the Crown and that it had always belonged to descendants of its original owners.
Minister Potaka has advised that visitors, tourism operators, and local communities can be assured there will be no immediate changes to access or day-to-day use of the Abel Tasman Great Walk and the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve and wider conservation areas.
No private property is affected by the agreement but the Crown has been using some of the affected land for roads, schools and conservation purposes and so the agreement transfers the land back to its rightful owners but allows the Crown to lease some of the land currently being used for these public purposes.
As Attorney General I am pleased to be involved in resolving this unique private law case, and to be able to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.
I want to acknowledge Mr. Stafford and his whānau, and to thank them for their patience across many years.
New Year Honours 2026
At the beginning of the year 117 New Zealanders received New Year Honours with three new Dames announced including Ms. Coral Shaw for services to public service, the judiciary and the community and four new Knights including Mr. Rod Drury for services to business, the technology industry and philanthropy.
A number of sports people including Mr. Martin Guptill and Mr. Scott Dixon are also on the Honours List and many people who volunteer and provide health, welfare services and educational excellence have received acknowledgement on the List this New Year. For the full list see www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2026
My congratulations to all recipients, they are inspiring for the work they have done for New Zealand as a whole and within their own communities.
With best wishes for you all and for rapid recovery following the destructive weather this week,
