The History of
Te Tii (Waitangi) B3 Trust - (TB3)
For generations, the uri of Te Kemara and Ngāti Rāhiri have upheld the land, the Marae, and the responsibility entrusted to them
— one people, one shared inheritance.
TB3 and the Church Mission Society
In 1830, land was sold to the Church Mission Society by the following chiefs, of whom Te Tii was a part: Kimokimo, Te Kemara, Marupo, Te Tao, Te Arupiro, Te Pahiko, Te Akai Pikitia, Parangi, and Te Wera. It is also recorded that Te Kemara, Hone Heke, Te Haratua, Marupo, Te Hepetahi, Te Pua, Whiorau, and Makoare sold additional Waitangi land to the Church Mission Society at a later date.
In 1839, Archdeacon Henry Williams gifted back 81 acres to Te Kemara and the hapū of Ngāti Rāhiri as a reserve for tribal purposes and to keep them near the Mission Church. This hapū comprised the uri (descendants) of Te Kemara, Marupo, Haratua, Te Tao, Whiorau, Heta Tūhirangi, Hone Heke, Makoare, Te Hepetahi, Mahikai, Peia, Parangi, Te Pua, and Hori Pou.
The Development of the TB3 Structure
The available block narrative (Māori Land Court records) indicates that the Te Tii Block (81 acres) was partitioned in 1890 and again in 1918. At that time, 251 individuals were named as registered owners of the block. On 15 April 1954, the Te Tii B Trust was registered in Auckland. The land area concerned comprised 45 acres, 1 rood, and 15 perches, with approximately 500 beneficiaries recorded. The appointed trustees were Hone Heke Rankin, Eru Moka Pou, Pereri Waharoa Tāne, Henare Te Nana, Makere Joyce, and Hamiora Maioha.
Subsequently, the Te Tii (Waitangi) B3 Trust was established and formally separated from Te Tii A (Marae). It became the entity responsible for managing business operations on behalf of its beneficiaries. These currently include 42 residential houses, 6 kaumātua/kuia flats, 1 leased residential property, 4 commercial accommodation operations, and a commercial retail arrangement.
It is important to note, however, that the Marae and the beneficiaries of the Te Tii B3 Trust are one and the same.