Māori Purposes Bills are omnibus bills, authorised by Standing Order 266, and are designed to amend one or more Acts relating to Māori affairs. Māori Purposes Bills may also deal with authorisations, transfers and validations in respect of Māori land and property. 

This Māori Purposes Bill makes minor, technical and non-controversial amendments to eight Acts and five Regulations, these are: 

• the Maori Community Development Act 1962 and the Maori Community Development Regulations 1963; 

• the Maori Purposes Fund Act 1934-35 and the Maori Purposes Fund Regulations 1937; 

• the Maori Soldiers Trust Act 1957; 

• the Māori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Māori) Act 2003; 

• the Maori Trust Boards Act 1955; 

• the Maori Trustee Act 1953 and the Māori Trustee Regulations 2009; 

• Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016 | Māori Language Act 2016; and 

• Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993, the Maori Incorporations Constitution Regulations 1994 and the Maori Reservations Regulations 1994. 

Additionally, the Bill repeals the Maori Purposes Act 1939, the Maori Purposes Act 1945 and the Māori Purposes Act 1973. This is because these Acts no longer have any operative provisions. 

The purpose of the Bill is to modernise legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose and aligns with the contemporary needs of Māori entities. The Bill updates outdated provisions and improves clarity for our entities, while strengthening their enabling legislation to make it more effective and accessible. These changes reflect our commitment to good governance and our ongoing work to ensure legislation remains relevant and practical. 

In addition, the Bill reduces administrative burden by removing unnecessary legislative requirements, making it easier for entities to operate more efficiently. This supports better outcomes by allowing resources to be focused where they are most needed, rather than on following outdated or cumbersome processes. 

Finally, the Bill addresses technical issues within legislation and fixes errors to ensure it is clear, consistent and fit for purpose. 

The Bill can be found here. It is expected to be enacted by the end of 2025.