Businesses paying to operate on Taupō Moana - what uri need to know

From 1 July 2022, anyone commercially operating on Taupō Moana (Lake Taupō) must pay a licensing fee to Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board (the Board).

The money from these fees means the Board can fund more grants and distributions, more initiatives and help more uri (descendants) of Tūwharetoa.

How Tūwharetoa own a moana

The Board own Taupō Moana on behalf of all Tūwharetoa. It’s part of the original Taupō-Nui-a-Tia land block created by the Government in 1886. In 1992, the moana was returned to Tūwharetoa. A new trust deed was issued in 2007.

A number of businesses challenged Tūwharetoa’s right to charge commercial usage fees from our moana. So in 2017, the Board applied to the courts for clarity.

In 2021, the High Court confirmed two things. One, it’s illegal to do business on the lake without a license. Two, Tūwharetoa has the right to charge for such a license.

CEO Rakeipoho Taiaroa, says this has been a significant milestone for us to get to this point after many years, confirming our right to charge for commercial business through the courts.

Access to the moana remains the same

Our moana will always be open to the public for recreational non-business use.

Only business operators are affected by this new kaupapa. We want all Tūwharetoa to have access to our grants, distributions and initiatives.

It’s important that all Tūwharetoa uri register, and update their details as often as they change.

You can either register online or you can print out a registration form by going here -https://www.tuwharetoa. co.nz/register/ Or you can use the QR code at the bottom of the page.

For further assistance, you can call 07-386 8832 (Tūrangi) or 07 376-5086 (Taupō).

Te Kōtuku is available in hardcopy for our pakeke 60 years and over.