Declaratory Judgment
In 2017 the Trust Board applied
to the High Court for a Declaratory Judgment to clarify the property rights of
Ngāti Tūwharetoa to licence and charge users for operating commercial
activities on Lake Taupō and surrounding tributaries.
This includes our ability to require commercial users
to obtain from the Trust Board rights to occupy or use parts of the lake for commercial
activities, and to charge commercial users for the same.
A High Court ruling dated 23 July 2021 has upheld the
property rights of Ngati Tuwharetoa to licence and charge users for operating
commercial activities on the lake and surrounding tributaries.
As we finalise the process for Commercial Operators we are asking
Operators in good faith to register with TMTB and we update you on the process
in the coming months ahead.