Native Affairs continues its Political special as we debate the big Māori issues in the lead up to the election.
Whenua is fundamental to Māori cultural identity and as such its true value can't be calculated in economic terms.
However according to The Ministry for Primary Industries 80% of Māori land is "unproductive".
This has led to a government appointed review of Te Ture Whenua Māori, the legislation that governs Māori land with the aim of unlocking it's economic potential said to be worth as much as 8 billion dollars.