Takahiwai (Pukekauri) Dam acquired lands
In 1965, land in the Takahiwai Hills was acquired by the then Northland Harbour Board, under the Public Works Act 1928, and was used to build a dam.
Since then, Wilson's dam at Ruakākā has been built, and the future need for the Takahiwai dam is now being explored.
Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board Incorporated (PTB) have advocated for the return of this whenua to hapū / whānau ownership since 2006.
We (Council) generally support the Takahiwai Dam acquired lands being returned to original owners and / or their successors if the dam is formally determined to be surplus to requirements.
On 24 July 2025, we entered into an Agreement in Principle with the Patuharekeke Te Iwi Trust Board, to collaborate on the future of the Takahiwai (Pukekauri) Dam Lands.
You can read the Council agenda item by following the below link. The item starts from page 73.
Council meeting agenda - Thursday 24 July 2025
The Trust will work alongside Council staff towards a recommendation on the future use and / or disposal of the dam while also acknowledging the dual requirement to engage with, and offer the land back to, original owners and/or their successors.
The land in question is complex. It was formed from 19 separate parcels with a combined area of 165.469 hectares. Twelve of these parcels were Māori land with numerous owners at the time of acquisition.
Land blocks
- Pukekauri 1B1
- Part Pukekauri 1B2
- Part Pukekauri 1B3
- Part Pukekauri 1B4
- Part Pukekauri 1B5
- Part Takahiwai 7C1B
- Part Takahiwai 9B
- Part Takahiwai 7B2B
- Part Takahiwai 7A2B2C
- Part Takahiwai 4C2
- Part Takahiwai 4D1C
- Part Takahiwai 4E2
Review of the whenua
To ensure a tika (right), pono (true), and respectful process, we, with the support of Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, initiated a preliminary review of the legal, cultural, environmental, and financial considerations involved with return of the whenua.
The review found that the relevant legislation may prevent the dam structure and the land under the reservoir from being returned (or transferred) to anyone other than another local authority.
Because of this, we have reviewed a range of scenarios for the dam and its waters and how each scenario could potentially affect returning the whenua.
To move forward with this work, we need to confirm who the successors of this land are so that we can all work through options for the future of the dam lands.
If you are an owner or potential successor of any of these land blocks, Council welcomes you to a hui to discuss this.
The hui previously scheduled for Saturday 11 October 2025 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date to be confirmed.