The Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust is an Ahu Whenua Trust constituted under Section 244 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

The Trust is governed by a board of 9 Trustees, with Liz Mellish being the current Chairman. Trustees are elected by the beneficial owners. There are currently 1,138 beneficial owners with many other whānau through those beneficial owners. With total assets of over $142m as at 31 March 2022 the beneficial owners have been achieving a very good economic return from their assets.

The Trust currently owns a total of approximately 13 hectares of land in central Palmerston North. It also owns a property in Thorndon, Wellington.

ASSETS

Property Development

Commercial Properties

Student Accommodation

Residential Accommodation

OUR TRUSTEES

Liz Mellish, MNZM

Liz Mellish - Chairman

Tribal affiliations:
Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui

Liz Mellish is the current Chairman of the Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust. She was elected a Trustee in 1994. Liz is currently a self-employed contractor and holds Directorships, trusteeships and Chair roles on many boards and trusts in Aotearoa. Liz’s vision for the Trusts is to ensure the economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes for the Trust and its owners are reached.

Liz has lived her entire life in the Wairarapa predominantly in Featherston with her husband Graham. She has three daughters and nine mokopuna. Liz interests are reading, walking, white baiting, gardening and spending time with her whānau.