Marine and Coastal Area Applications (MACA)
What is MACA?
The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 provides a legal framework for recognising the customary relationships that iwi and hapū have with the marine and coastal environment. The Act replaced Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed with a shared public and customary space, and allows iwi and hapū to apply for recognition of customary marine title and protected customary rights where they can demonstrate long-standing use, occupation, and responsibilities in accordance with tikanga Māori. These processes acknowledge mana whenua and mana moana, while ensuring the marine and coastal area remains accessible for all New Zealanders.
Ngāti Pūkenga and the Takutai Moana process
In 2017 Ngāti Pūkenga lodged its Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act application through the High Court process, seeking recognition of customary marine title and protected customary rights across parts of our rohe. The application reflects Ngāti Pūkenga’s long-standing relationships with the marine and coastal environment, grounded in whakapapa, tikanga, and the exercise of kaitiakitanga over many generations.
Some parts of the Ngāti Pūkenga application area have already been through High Court hearings, while others are still awaiting hearing dates. Ngāti Pūkenga has participated in hearings alongside neighbouring iwi and hapū where application areas overlap, including areas where decisions have been issued and areas where decisions are still pending. Other parts of the Ngāti Pūkenga rohe, including remaining areas within Tauranga Moana and Maketū, have not yet been scheduled for hearing by the Court.
Further areas, including Manaia, are still in preparation. Evidence gathering for Manaia is expected to begin in early 2026, with the intention of filing evidence and progressing toward a High Court hearing once Court timetabling allows.
Ngāti Pūkenga continues to engage in the Takutai Moana process in good faith, recognising that different parts of the rohe are at different stages, and that the overall process will take time to complete.
