In 1977 the Māori Trustee’s administration of the tenths reserves was revoked. Descendants of the original owners created Wakatū Incorporation to administer the returning land assets.

Wakatū took possession of 2994 acres - the remnants of the tenths reserves and some occupation reserves. Our owners today are descendants of the original landowners who held authority over the region at the time of European settlement in 1841.

The iwi (tribe) of our original owners, and that of their descendants, are Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama and Te Ātiawa. To become an owner in Wakatū you must whakapapa (be a descendant of) one of the original owners.