Between 1922 and 1953, ten Māori trusts were established by statute to receive and administer compensation awarded by the Crown in settlement of various long-held Māori grievances. In 1955, as part of a move to update all existing Māori legislation, the Act aimed to standardise and improve the administration of these existing bodies and to provide a template for future boards.[i]
Māori Trust Boards were established for Aorangi, Arawa, Aupouri, Ngaitahu, Tainui, Taitokerau, Taranaki, Tuwharetoa, Wairoa and Whakatohea.