The Bill passed the third and final reading on Wednesday 22 July 2020. With the signing, the Bill transfers the business of Te Puia NZMACI into the ownership and control of a new entity, the Te Puia NZMACI Limited Partnership. This is a historic moment for us all – both Iwi and Aotearoa and follows lengthy negotiations with the Crown.

The partners in the limited partnership will be Wahiao Tuhourangi o Whakarewarewa, the hapu of Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotū, Ngāti Kahu o Ngāti Whakaue Hapū (to be held by their HTK Te Puia Trust) and the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue. This structure will enable the partners to work closely together in these challenging times to build upon, enhance and increase Maori owned tourism and cultural integrity footprint in Rotorua.

Long term, Te Puia NZMACI Limited Partnership is committed to ensuring that the important pan-iwi cultural functions provided by the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in training the next generation of carvers, weavers and sculptors will continue.