When the survey of the reserve was completed, it was found to have an area of 3736 acres. It was given the appellation Section 474 Parish of Taupiri.
In 1894, by Section 5 Native Land Claims and Boundaries Adjustment and Titles Empowering Act 1894, title to Section 474 was awarded to Ngati Paoa, with the Native Land Court to determine who was entitled to be an owner.
The Court ascertained who were the owners in March 1895.20
Offer to Sell Interests in Hapuakohe to the Crown
In February 1895, one month before the ownership of Hapuakohe was ordered by the Court, 7 people of Ngati Paoa wrote to Gilbert Mair that
We have decided to sell our land called Hapuakohe to the Government in order to provide money for our trouble (Native Land Court expenses). We ask 15/- an acre.21
Mair forwarded the offer to Wellington, noting that
The Ngatipaoa living about Whakatiwai and Te Hoe o Tainui, being unable to put any of the large Piako blocks through the present Court without money, now offer the Hapuakohe block for sale to the Government. You will remember that by an Act of last session, this land was handed back to these Natives. It was originally over 7000 acres, but a considerable area was sold before the justice of the Native claims were recognised. The balance is between four and five thousand acres. I have not been over the land, but am informed that it contains some fine level land, while the hilly portion os fairly good bush land. It is also reported that gold has been found on or near the Hapuakohe Trig Station. I believe there is a considerable quantity of white pine on the portion near the Mangawara River. The natives ask 15/-, but they might take 7/6d. I should mention that they have applied to the Court to fix the list of owners, but they propose only putting in two or three names if Government will consent to purchase, so as to facilitate the s ale . 22
The Chief Land Purchase Officer's response was that
If ever this reserve was promised to the Natives at all, it as because of their supposed landless condition. That is certainly the reason why the alleged promise was carried out, although the evidence goes in the direction of showing that it was not made at all. The proposal to limit the list of owners should not be listened to.
The Government will not repurchase the land. The Natives must retain it as a permanent reserve.23
Mair replied early in March 1895 that
I am not familiar with the reasons why the balance of Hapuakohe was returned to these particular natives. It certainly was not because they were landless. I am informed that the land was wrongfully confiscated, that the Government had no legal right to it, that before the error was discovered about half had been disposed of. The retention of Hapuakohe is not absolutely necessary to the natives, and in their anxiety to put the Piako lands through the Court, they
20 Hauraki Minute Book 37 pages 8o-8z and 86-87.
21 Tumakere and 6 others, Te Hoe o Tainui, to Land Purchase Officer Thames, 18 February 1895, attached to Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 18 February 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/106. Supporting Papers #B96.1-2.
22 Land Purchase Officer Thames to Chief Land Purchase Officer, 18 February 1895. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/106. Supporting Papers #B96.1-2.
23 Chief Land Purchase Officer to Land Purchase Officer Thames, z8 February 1895, on cover sheet to file NLP 1895/106. Maori Affairs Head Office file MLP 1895/106. Supporting Papers #B96.3-4.
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