1: Title
This Act is the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025.
2: Commencement
1: This Act comes into force on a date set by Order in Council.
2: Any part of the Act that has not come into force before 17 February 2026 comes into force then.
3: An Order in Council made under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act. Section 2(2) editorial change 10 April 2025 sections 86(1) 87(m) and (q) Legislation Act 2019
1: Substantive amendments
1: Amendments to Family Court Act 1980
3: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Family Court Act 1980 2026-02-17 Family Court Act 1980 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
4: New section 2A inserted (Transitional, savings, and related provisions)
After section 2
2A: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1AA
5: New section 12B inserted (Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse)
After section 12A
12B: Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
1: This section applies if a Judge—
a: is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding under a specified Act has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
b: has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
2: The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
a: take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
b: take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act if there is evidence that the party has exhibited conduct in that proceeding that is litigant abuse:
c: commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
i: of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
ii: in respect of any specified person; or
iii: in respect of any specified matter. Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
a: make an order under subsection (2) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
b: grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (2) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
3: However, an order made under subsection (2) does not prevent the party from lodging an appeal or filing a judicial review in respect of a proceeding (including an interlocutory proceeding).
4: The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(a):
a: the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
b: the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
c: the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
d: any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
5: An order made under subsection (2) continues in force for 3 years unless—
a: the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
b: in the Judge’s opinion, there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
6: An applicant for an order under subsection (2), or a party subject to an order under subsection (2), may appeal to the High Court against the whole or a part of the Judge's decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (2).
7: Nothing in this section limits—
a: any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
b: the inherent powers of the court.
8: In this section,— litigant abuse
a: includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
b: may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial) psychological abuse related proceedings specified Act
a: the Status of Children Act 1969:
b: the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
c: the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
d: the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
e: the Child Support Act 1991:
f: the Care of Children Act 2004:
g: the Family Violence Act 2018.
6: New Schedule 1AA inserted
Insert the Schedule 1AA Schedule 1
2: Amendments to District Court Act 2016
7: Principal Act
This subpart amends the District Court Act 2016 2026-02-17 District Court Act 2016 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
8: New section 216A and cross-heading inserted
After section 216 Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
216A: Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
1: This section applies to the court when—
a: exercising concurrent jurisdiction with the Family Court; or
b: acting under section 15 of the Family Court Act 1980.
2: This section applies if a Judge—
a: is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding under a specified Act has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
b: has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
3: The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
a: take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
b: take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act if there is evidence that the party has exhibited conduct in that proceeding that is litigant abuse:
c: commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
i: of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
ii: in respect of any specified person; or
iii: in respect of any specified matter. Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
a: make an order under subsection (3) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
b: grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (3) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
4: However, an order made under subsection (3) does not prevent the party from lodging an appeal or filing a judicial review in respect of a proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding).
5: The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (2)(a):
a: the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
b: the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
c: the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
d: any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
6: An order made under subsection (3) continues in force for 3 years unless—
a: the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
b: in the Judge’s opinion, there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
7: An applicant for an order under subsection (3), or a party subject to an order under subsection (3), may appeal to the High Court against the whole or a part of the Judge's decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (3).
8: Nothing in this section limits—
a: any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
b: the inherent powers of the court.
9: In this section,— litigant abuse
a: includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
b: may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial) psychological abuse related proceedings specified Act
a: the Status of Children Act 1969:
b: the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
c: the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
d: the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
e: the Child Support Act 1991:
f: the Care of Children Act 2004:
g: the Family Violence Act 2018.
9: Schedule 1AA amended
In Schedule 1AA
a: insert the Part set out in Schedule 2
b: make all necessary consequential amendments.
3: Amendments to Senior Courts Act 2016
10: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Senior Courts Act 2016 2026-02-17 Senior Courts Act 2016 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
11: New section 169A and cross-heading inserted
After section 169 Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
169A: Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
1: This section applies if a Judge—
a: is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
b: has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
2: The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
a: take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
b: take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act:
c: commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
i: of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
ii: in respect of any specified person; or
iii: in respect of any specified matter. Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
a: make an order under subsection (3) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
b: grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (3) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
3: The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(a):
a: the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
b: the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
c: the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
d: any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
4: An order made under subsection (2) continues in force for 3 years unless—
a: the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
b: in the Judge’s opinion there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
5: An applicant for an order under subsection (2), or a party subject to an order under subsection (2), may appeal against the whole or a part of the Judge's decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (2) to—
a: the Court of Appeal; or
b: the Supreme Court (with the leave of the Supreme Court).
6: Nothing in this section limits—
a: any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
b: the inherent powers of the court.
7: In this section,— court litigant abuse
a: includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
b: may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial) proceeding
a: a proceeding under a specified Act:
b: an appeal proceeding under a specified Act:
c: judicial review of a proceeding under a specified Act psychological abuse related proceedings specified Act
a: the Status of Children Act 1969:
b: the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
c: the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
d: the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
e: the Child Support Act 1991:
f: the Care of Children Act 2004:
g: the Family Violence Act 2018.
12: Schedule 5 amended
In Schedule 5
a: insert the Part set out in Schedule 3
b: make all necessary consequential amendments.
2: Consequential amendments
1: Amendment to Family Proceedings Act 1980
13: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Family Proceedings Act 1980 2026-02-17 Family Proceedings Act 1980 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
14: Section 163 amended (Vexatious proceedings)
After section 163(2)
3: Nothing in this section limits section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980 section 216A of the District Court Act 2016
2: Amendment to Child Support Act 1991
15: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Child Support Act 1991 2026-02-17 Child Support Act 1991 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
16: Section 227 amended (Vexatious proceedings)
After section 227(2)
3: Nothing in this section limits section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980 section 216A of the District Court Act 2016
3: Amendment to Care of Children Act 2004
17: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Care of Children Act 2004 2026-02-17 Care of Children Act 2004 This Act comes into force by OiC, but any part of the Act that has not come into force 1 year after Royal assent comes into force then. See section 2(2).
18: Section 141 amended (Power to restrict commencement of proceedings if vexatious proceedings previously instituted)
Replace section 141(3)
3: Nothing in this section limits—
a: sections 166 to 169 of the Senior Courts Act 2016
b: section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980
c: section 216A of the District Court Act 2016
d: section 169A of the Senior Courts Act 2016


1: Title
1: This Act is Te Ture mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara 2025/Ō-Rākau Remembrance Act 2025.
2: This Act may also be cited as—
a: Te Ture mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara 2025; or
b: the Ō-Rākau Remembrance Act 2025.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on 25 February 2025. Section 2 editorial change 10 April 2025 sections 86(1) 87(m) Legislation Act 2019
1: Preliminary provisions
3: Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to give effect to certain provisions of the Ō-Rākau deed relating to the Ō-Rākau site.
4: Provisions take effect on vesting date
1: The provisions of this Act take effect on the vesting date unless stated otherwise.
2: Before the date on which a provision takes effect, a person may prepare or sign a document or do anything else that is required for—
a: the provision to have full effect on that date; or
b: a power to be exercised under the provision on that date; or
c: a duty to be performed under the provision on that date.
5: Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— Crown section 2(1) interest Maniapoto section 13 Maniapoto deed of settlement section 12 Ngā Ahi e Toru
a: Maniapoto:
b: Raukawa:
c: Waikato ngā tūpuna Ō-Rākau deed
a: means te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga mō Ō-Rākau, te Pae o Maumahara/the Deed of Agreement Relating to the Ō-Rākau Site dated 31 October 2023 and signed by—
i: the Honourable Kelvin Davis, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, and the Honourable Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance, for and on behalf of the Crown; and
ii: Peter Te Matakahere Douglas, Bella Luana Takiari-Brame, Arepa Kruger Wetere, John Reihana Kaati, Muiora Barry, William Gannin Ormsby, Shannon Tariki Mangu Manawaiti, Ronald Tahi Takerei, Maria Pareraukawa Te Huia Maniapoto, Luke Thomas Moss, Wanairangi Kihi Rachael Tuwhangai, Mary Jacqualine Tapu, Georgina Annette Winter, and Kathryn Kahu McClintock, being the trustees of Te Nehenehenui; and
iii: Kataraina Hodge, Marina Monehu Hireme, Huia Te Ata Huruhanga Te Kanawa, Nachelle Griffiths, Juanita Elaine Temarama, Cohra Jay Taihakoa Maui, Debbie Jean Davies, Phillipa Tapu, Rina Polly Lawson, Steven Cecil Daryll Oxenham, Grant Thompson, Donnie Maria Parker, Waimatao Jordene Sydney, Paraone Francis Gloyne, and James Luke Te Whakaheke Whetu, being the trustees of the Raukawa Settlement Trust; and
iv: Tukoroirangi Morgan and Rahui Papa, for and on behalf of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Incorporated as trustee of the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust; and
b: includes—
i: the schedules of, and attachments to, the deed; and
ii: any amendments to the deed or its schedules and attachments Ō-Rākau site Schedule 3 Raukawa section 13 Raukawa deed of settlement section 12 record of title section 5(1) Registrar-General section 5(1) representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru section 18
a: for Maniapoto, the trustees of Te Nehenehenui:
b: for Raukawa, the trustees of the Raukawa Settlement Trust:
c: for Waikato, Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Incorporated as trustee of the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust trustees of Te Nehenehenui section 12(1) trustees of the Raukawa Settlement Trust section 12 vesting date Waikato section 7 Waikato Raupatu deed of settlement section 7 Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust working day
a: Saturday, Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the Sovereign's birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day:
b: if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday:
c: a day in the period commencing with 25 December in any year and ending with the close of 15 January in the following year:
d: the days observed as the anniversaries of the provinces of Auckland and Wellington.
6: He whakamāramatanga o ngā kupu reo Māori/Explanations of te reo Māori terms
Ka whakatakoto tēnei wehenga i ngā whakamāramatanga o ētehi kupu Māori kua whakamahia i tēnei Ture, engari he kuputohu noa iho, ehara i te whakamāramatanga tukupū:
a: Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara
b: Ngā Ahi e Toru The following are English explanations of certain te reo Māori terms used in this Act, but they are merely a guide, not definitions:
a: Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara
b: Ngā Ahi e Toru
7: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions (if any) set out in Schedule 1
8: Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
9: He whakamārama/Background
1: Ka whakatakoto tēnei wehenga i ngā whakamārama o te puka whakaaetanga e pā ana ki te pae o te riri o Ō-Rākau me tēnei Ture. Whakamārama aronehe
2: Ko te pakanga o Ō-Rākau tētehi o ngā pakanga tino hira rawa i te hītori o Aotearoa. Koia te pakanga matua whakamutunga o tā te Karauna urutomo ki a Waikato. I ngā tau 1860, ko Waikato te pou o te Kīngitanga, he rangatohe iwi maha e whai ana i te mutunga o ngā kakaritanga i waenga iwi, i te pupuru whenua, i te whakamanatanga o te reo Māori i ngā take whakahaere i ō rātou anō hapori.
3: He mea urutomo a Waikato e te Ope Taua o Piritene i te Hūrae 1863, ā, tae noa mai ki te mutunga o Pēpuere 1864 kua kōkiri atu ki Kihikihi i muri i ngā kakaritanga wawana. I te Māehe 1864 ka whakatau ngā kaihautū ki te hanga i tētehi pā i Ō-Rākau ki reira matatū ai.
4: Tōna 300 o ngā Māori nō Tainui waka me ētahi anō iwi, he hautoru o rātou he wāhine he tamariki, i tū ki Ō-Rākau nōna i tāwhawhe ai e tōna 1,400 hōia Piritene i te 31 o Māehe 1864. E toru rā te roa o te pakanga, me te whakatau tata i mate tata ki te haurua o rātou e noho ana i roto i te pā. I whakanau ērā e toe ana i te pā i te tono kia whakahauraro, ka pahiko ohorere atu, ā, i taua pahikotanga i hinga, i taotū rānei ētehi atu. E noho ana te māia i kitea i Ō-Rākau hei tohu mō te ātete Māori ki ngā mahi tika kore a te Karauna ko te hekenga ā-toto me te whakamōtī rawa te mutunga iho.
5: Kua whakaae te Karauna, i roto i te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga a Maniapoto, i te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga a Raukawa me te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga mō te Raupatu i Waikato, ko te raupatu—tae atu ki tana urutomo ki Waikato, ko te pakanga, te hekenga ā-toto me te raupatu whenua te mutunga iho—he tika kore, he takahi i te mana o te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi me ana mātāpono.
6: Kāore anō ngā mahi hautoa me te whakawhere a ngā Māori i whawhai i Ō-Rākau kia whakamana tikahia i te pae o Ō-Rākau. Ngā takenga hou
7: Mai rā anō i te tau 1864 e tautiakina ana te mōhiotanga me te tūhononga ki ngā mahi i te pakanga o Ō-Rākau e ētehi rōpū me ētehi tāngata. I te 2011 ka whakatūria The Battle of Ō-Rākau Heritage Society Inc, ki te arotahi ki te whakanui i te huritau 150 o taua pakanga me te whakaako i tana hītori ki ētehi atu hei ara whakahōnore i ngā mahi onamata me te whakatairanga i te whakareka me te māramatanga.
8: He mea hoko e te Karauna i te 2015 tētahi papanoho i te Rori o Arapuni, tērā i whakaarohia ko te pae o te pā o Ō-Rākau i tū ai te pakanga o Ō-Rākau. I hokona taua pae e te Karauna hei whakamana i te hiranga o te pae, me ngā mahi i taka i Ō-Rākau, ki te Māori me te Pākehā.
9: I te Noema 2017 ka tuhi reta te Karauna ki ētehi iwi e whakapuaki ana i te hiahia kia kōrerorerotia te anamata o taua pae. Nō te tōmuatanga o te 2018 kua whakawhanakehia e Maniapoto, Raukawa, me Waikato he marohi tuatahi mō te āhua e puritia ai te pae o te riri o Ō-Rākau hei whakanui i ērā katoa i whai pānga ki ngā mahi i taka i Ō-Rākau. I tukuna te marohi ki ngā rōpū whai hononga ki te pakanga o Ō-Rākau kia whiwhi whakahoki kōrero.
10: Kua tuhia e Maniapoto, Raukawa, me Waikato (e huihui tahi ana hei Ngā Ahi e Toru) me te Karauna ngā wāhi matua e whakaae tahi ai rātou mō te anamata o te pae o te riri o Ō-Rākau i roto i te puka whakaaetanga.
11: Kua whakaaehia e Ngā Ahi e Toru mā rātou e mahi mō ngā tūpuna e pā ana ki te pae o te riri o Ō-Rākau.
1: This section sets out the background to the Ō-Rākau deed and this Act. Historical background
2: The battle of Ō-Rākau was one of the most significant events in the history of Aotearoa/New Zealand and was the last major battle of the Crown’s invasion of Waikato. In the 1860s, Waikato was the centre of the Kīngitanga, a pan-tribal movement seeking the end of intertribal conflict, the retention of land, and Māori having a dominant voice in the governance of their own communities.
3: The British Army invaded Waikato in July 1863, and by the end of February 1864 soldiers had advanced to Kihikihi after much hard fighting. In March 1864, Māori leaders decided to construct a pā at Ō-Rākau where they would make a stand.
4: About 300 Māori from Tainui waka and other tribal groups, one-third of whom may have been women and children, were present at Ō-Rākau when it was encircled by some 1,400 British troops on 31 March 1864. The battle lasted for 3 days, and it has been estimated that about half the pā’s occupants were killed. Those remaining refused an offer to surrender and made a surprise escape, in the course of which they suffered additional casualties. The bravery shown at Ō-Rākau has become a symbol of Māori resistance in the face of the Crown’s unjust actions that caused loss of life and devastation of property.
5: The Crown has acknowledged, in the Maniapoto deed of settlement, the Raukawa deed of settlement, and the Waikato Raupatu deed of settlement, that raupatu—including its invasion of the Waikato, which led to war, loss of life, and confiscation of land—was unjust and a grievous breach of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.
6: The courage and sacrifice of the Māori who fought at Ō-Rākau have never been sufficiently recognised at the Ō-Rākau site. Recent background
7: Since 1864, the knowledge of, and connection to, the events at the battle of Ō-Rākau have been maintained by a number of groups and individuals. In 2011, The Battle of Ō-Rākau Heritage Society Incorporated was established, with a focus on commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle to educate others about this history, as a way to honour the past and promote healing and understanding.
8: In 2015, the Crown purchased a property on Arapuni Road, which is believed to contain the site of Ō-Rākau pā where the battle of Ō-Rākau occurred. The Crown purchased the property in recognition of the significance of the site, and the events at Ō-Rākau, to both Māori and Pākehā.
9: In November 2017, the Crown wrote to a number of iwi with a wish to discuss the future of the site. By early 2018, Maniapoto, Raukawa, and Waikato had developed an initial proposal for a way to hold the Ō-Rākau site that provided recognition for all those who had a connection to the events at Ō-Rākau. The proposal was provided to groups with a connection to the battle of Ō-Rākau for comment.
10: Maniapoto, Raukawa, and Waikato (coming together as Ngā Ahi e Toru) and the Crown have recorded key areas of agreement for the future of the Ō-Rākau site in the Ō-Rākau deed.
11: Ngā Ahi e Toru have agreed to act as kaitiaki on behalf of ngā tūpuna in relation to the Ō-Rākau site.
2: Vesting of Ō-Rākau site and related matters
Vesting, administration, and documents for Ō-Rākau site
10: Vesting of Ō-Rākau site
The fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site vests in the tūpuna listed in Schedule 2 section 19
11: Administration and dealing with Ō-Rākau site
1: This section applies despite—
a: the vesting of the Ō-Rākau site under section 10
b: ngā tūpuna being the registered owners of the Ō-Rākau site.
2: The representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru—
a: have all the rights and obligations of the registered owner of the Ō-Rākau site; and
b: must exercise the rights, and perform the obligations, jointly in the names of the representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru.
3: The Registrar-General and any other relevant person must have regard to this section.
12: Changes to tūpuna named on record of title
1: This section applies after the record of title has been created for the Ō-Rākau site under section 15
2: The representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru may, at any time, jointly apply in writing to the Registrar-General to change ngā tūpuna (who are the registered owners of the Ō-Rākau site).
3: The application must specify 1 or more of the following:
a: the name of each tupuna who is to be added:
b: the correct name of each tupuna whose name is to be corrected:
c: the name of each tupuna who is to be removed.
4: On receipt of an application in accordance with this section and section 14
13: Changes to tūpuna named in Schedule 2
1: This section applies after the Registrar-General has registered a change of ngā tūpuna under section 12(4)
2: The representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru may, at any time, jointly apply in writing to the Minister to update Schedule 2 section 12
3: The application must include the following:
a: a copy of the application made to the Registrar-General under section 12
b: a copy of the record of title for the Ō-Rākau site as registered under section 12(4)
4: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, made on the recommendation of the Minister, amend or replace Schedule 2
5: The Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (4) section 14
6: An order under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act.
14: Signing and other requirements for instruments and applications
1: This section applies to—
a: an instrument to be lodged under the Land Transfer Act 2017
b: an application to change ngā tūpuna under section 12
c: an application to change the tūpuna listed in Schedule 2 section 13 Collective reference
2: An instrument or application is not required to individually name each tupuna registered on the record of title for the Ō-Rākau site but may refer collectively to ngā tūpuna. Signing requirements
3: For each representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru that executes the instrument or application,—
a: the persons who sign must state on that instrument or application which representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru that person represents; and
b: where an instrument or application is being signed by the trustees of an unincorporated trust,—
i: 2 trustees may sign on behalf of all of the trustees; and
ii: those trustees must sign in the presence of a witness, who must also sign the instrument or application.
4: The Registrar-General, or the Minister as applicable, need not make any inquiries as to the persons who sign the instrument or application for each representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru. Other requirement
5: The instrument or application must be accompanied by each notice given under section 18 Provisions related to vesting of Ō-Rākau site
15: Registration of ownership
1: The Registrar-General must, in accordance with a written application by an authorised person,—
a: create a record of title for the fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site in the names of the tūpuna listed in Schedule 2
b: record on the record of title any interests that are registered, noted, or to be noted and that are described in the application.
2: Subsection (1)
3: A record of title must be created under this section as soon as is reasonably practicable after the vesting date, but not later than—
a: 3 months after the vesting date; or
b: any later date that is agreed in writing by the Crown and the representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru.
4: Section 15
5: In this section, authorised person
16: Application of other enactments
1: The vesting of the fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site under this Part is a disposition for the purposes of Part 4A sections 24(2A) 24A 24AA
2: The vesting of the fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site under this Part does not—
a: limit section 10 11
b: affect other rights to subsurface minerals.
3: Section 11 Part 10
a: the vesting of the fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site under this Part; or
b: any matter incidental to, or required for the purpose of, the vesting.
4: The representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru, when acting in respect of the Ō-Rākau site in accordance with this Act, are not a trust constituted in respect of—
a: any Māori land for the purpose of section 236(1)(b)
b: any General land owned by Māori for the purpose of section 236(1)(c)
5: Nothing in Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993
6: The Ō-Rākau site is non-rateable under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002
17: Matters to be recorded on record of title
1: The Registrar-General must record on the record of title for the Ō-Rākau site—
a: that the land is subject to Part 4A
b: that the land is subject to sections 11 12 14 16(4) to (6) 18 19
2: A notation made under subsection (1)(a) Part 4A section 24D(1) Replacing representatives or owners
18: Replacement for representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru
1: A representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru (the existing entity new entity
2: The existing entity must be satisfied that the new entity—
a: is appropriate to exercise the rights and obligations of the existing entity under the Ō-Rākau deed and this Act; and
b: has a structure that—
i: provides for transparent decision making; and
ii: includes a dispute resolution process; and
c: is accountable to the other representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru in fulfilling the joint obligations under the Ō-Rākau deed and under this Act.
3: The existing entity must give notice to the other 2 representatives of Ngā Ahi e Toru.
4: The notice must—
a: state that the new entity has replaced the existing entity as a representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru under this section; and
b: specify the date of the assignment; and
c: specify the name of the new entity and, if it is an unincorporated trust, the names of the trustees; and
d: specify the street address, postal address, and electronic address for notices to the new entity.
5: The new entity is a representative of Ngā Ahi e Toru under this Act, in place of the existing entity, starting on the date specified in the notice given under this section.
19: Subsequent transfer from ngā tūpuna to new owner
1: The fee simple estate in the Ō-Rākau site may be transferred from ngā tūpuna only in accordance with this section.
2: The transfer instrument must state that, after the transfer, the land is not subject to sections 11 12 14 16(4) to (6) 18 19
3: On registration of the transfer,—
a: the Registrar-General must remove from the record of title for the Ō-Rākau site the notations that the land is subject to sections 11 12 14 16(4) to (6) 18 19
b: the land is no longer subject to those sections.


1: Title
This Act is the Overseas Investment (Build-to-rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Act 2025.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on 25 February 2025. Section 2 editorial change 10 April 2025 sections 86(1) 87(m) Legislation Act 2019
3: Principal Act
This Act amends the Overseas Investment Act 2005 2025-02-25 Overseas Investment Act 2005
1: Amendments to principal Act
4: Section 6 amended (Interpretation)
In section 6(1) large rental development test clause 11A
5: Section 16 amended (Criteria for consent for overseas investments in sensitive land)
After section 16(1)(b)(i)(B)
BA: the large rental development test:
6: Schedule 2 amended
1: In Schedule 2, clause 1(1)(b) the increased housing test, the large rental development test,
2: In Schedule 2, Part 3 Increased housing, large rental development,
3: In Schedule 2, clause 10 3 tests 4 tests
4: In Schedule 2, after clause 11 Large rental development test
11A: How large rental development test is met
1: The large rental development test is met if the relevant Ministers are satisfied that—
a: the residential land is a single site, or adjacent sites separated by infrastructure (such as roads), with 1 or more buildings that, taken together, consist of 20 or more dwellings suitable for use as, or conversion to, residential dwellings; and
b: at least 20 of the residential dwellings will be, or are likely to be, available for use, within a time frame that is satisfactory to the relevant Ministers, as a residential dwelling occupied under a residential tenancy to which the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 applies or would apply (the large rental development outcome
c: the non-occupation outcome (as defined in clause 17) will, or is likely to, occur.
2: See also
5: In Schedule 2, clause 18(2)(b) The following table is small in size and 4 columns. This table amends clause 18(2) of Schedule 2 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 and should be read with that table to provide understanding of the context. 1A Large rental development test The large rental development outcome (as defined in clause 11A(1)(b) The on-sale outcome (as defined in clause 17), if clause 11A(1)(b) The non-occupation outcome (as defined in clause 17)
6: In Schedule 2, clause 19(1) sections 16A(1)(c) and section
7: In Schedule 2, clause 19(2)(c) The following table is small in size and 4 columns. This table amends clause 19(1) of Schedule 2 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 and should be read with that table to provide understanding of the context. 7 Operation of existing shared equity, rent-to-buy, or rental arrangements (as referred to in the next column) in a development of 20 or more residential dwellings All of the residential dwellings in the development are dealt with under 1 or more of the following arrangements that are satisfactory to the relevant Ministers:
a: joint ownership of the residential dwelling with an occupier (for example, an arrangement commonly referred to as a shared equity arrangement):
b: divestment of ownership of the residential dwelling to the occupier over a period of time (for example, an arrangement commonly referred to as a rent-to-buy arrangement):
c: lease of the residential dwelling to an occupier:
d: divestment of ownership of the residential dwelling The non-occupation outcome (as defined in clause 17)
8: In Schedule 2, repeal clause 19(3)
9: In Schedule 2, clause 20(2)(a)(iii) OP will lease lease of
10: In Schedule 2, repeal clause 20(2)(c)
7: Schedule 4 amended
In Schedule 4, after clause 2(1)(a)
aa: the large rental development test; or
2: Amendments to regulations
8: Principal regulations
This Part amends the Overseas Investment Regulations 2005 2025-02-25 Overseas Investment Regulations 2005
9: Schedule 2 amended
1: In Schedule 2 the increased housing test, the large rental development test,
2: In Schedule 2 the increased housing test, the large rental development test,
10: Schedule 5 amended
In Schedule 5, clause 2(1) (the increased housing test, the large rental development test,