Blocks of unoccupied and unimproved Maori freehold land in multiple ownership will attract no rates for up to three years under a new policy that was recently approved by the Far North District Council. In addition, rates may also be postponed for multiple-owned Maori land if a new occupant agrees to develop the land and pay future rate bills, providing incentive for economic development on Maori-owned land. A study of Maori land in the Far North conducted in 2000 showed that 46 percent is likely to be unimproved, landlocked and isolated or marginal in quality.
