Gisborne Harbour Board identifies Awapuni Lagoon as possible site for new harbour. The lagoon is surveyed for the purpose of having it vested in itself and applied to the District Land Register for title. Application denied.

Rongowhakaata investigates the title of Awapuni Lagoon through Native Land Court. Lagoon declared arm of sea by Crown. Application dismissed.

Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Act was passed. By section 20 of this Act the Poverty Bay Catchment Board install floodgates at the mouth of the lagoon. Lagoon drained and transformed into farmland (Landcorp Farm).

Members of Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki iwi and Proprietors of Arai Matawai and Mangatu Blocks (as Trustee for the Paokahu and Koputūtea block owners) petition court again for Title.

Crown determines (now that Awapuni Lagoon is no longer an arm of the sea) that it would vest the lagoon in those persons who claimed ownership of the Lagoon. Lagoon vested in Mangatu Incorporation in trust until Māori entitled to the land could be determined.

Māori Land Court makes order declaring Awapuni Lagoon Māori freehold land.

Enquiry held by Judge Heta Kenneth Hingston to determine title to the lagoon.

March – Submissions made by people of Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki and Ruapani descent. Outcome of the hearings resulted in the decision that ownership of Awapuni Lagoon be determined on the basis of the historical ownership of the blocks that surround it.

May – Rongowhakaata hapū elections held to determine majority of trustees.

September – Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki Trustee representative selected.

December - Te Awapuni Moana Whenua Tōpū Trust constituted over the land known as