About Te Tari Whakatau
Welcome to the Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana: Te Tari Whakatau
Te Tari Whakatau leads the Crown’s work to restore and strengthen Māori–Crown relationships through the negotiation of historical Treaty settlements and the recognition of Māori customary interests in the takutai moana (marine and coastal area).
Our history
Our organisational whakapapa traces back through The Office for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti (2019-2025), the Office of Treaty Settlements (1995-2019) and to the Treaty of Waitangi Policy Unit formed in 1989. We are a departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Justice.
On 24 February 2025, the Māori Crown Relations portfolio was transferred from Te Arawhiti to Te Puni Kōkiri. That same day, Cabinet also agreed to a new name for the independent departmental agency that better reflects its refined role. The Māori name 'Te Tari Whakatau' literally means the office 'te tari' where things are settled or determined 'whakatau'. We are a departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Justice.
Focused on reconciliation, settlement and recognition, our work makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s future. Treaty settlements create a foundation for hapū and iwi, supporting Māori to strengthen connections with places of high cultural significance and focus on opportunities with long-term intergenerational impact, including improved social and economic outcomes. Takutai Moana determinations are an important feature of New Zealand’s legal framework, working to balance and bring clarity to the rights and interests of Māori in the marine and coastal area with those of other groups.
Our role and responsibilities
Te Tari Whakatau has a central role in restoring and enhancing Māori Crown relationships. We do this through negotiating the settlement of historical Treaty of Waitangi claims and enabling the recognition of customary interests in the common marine and coastal area, the takutai moana.
We support the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi Māori, and the wider public service to progress Treaty settlements and Takutai Moana determinations.
We provide strategic advice on Māori rights and interests relating to these areas, and act as the primary point of contact for claimant groups seeking to resolve historical grievances through negotiations with the Crown.
Our work includes:
- Negotiating settlements of historical Treaty claims with claimant groups, under Cabinet direction
- Administering the Protection Mechanism for Crown-owned land
- Supporting the determination process for applications under the Takutai Moana Act
Leadership
- Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive)
- Deputy Chief Executive Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana
- Deputy Chief Executive Policy, Legal and Corporate
For more information about our leadership team, head to Our Leaders.