Since its inception Nga Whenua Rahui has had over 70 proposals approved by the Minister of Conservation involving 75,820 hectares of indigenous forests. Maori landowners may protect their forests under a Nga Whenua Rahui kawenata, under which cultural use of the forest is blended with the acceptance of public access within the agreements. The objective is long term protection with reviews each generation. Owners of some smaller blocks of forest have opted for protection under sections 338 and 340 of Te Ture Whenua Act 1993. This involves the setting aside of areas as Maori reservations.
Public access is usually a restricted right.
Fencing costs are assessed at the time of the application to the fund administrators who may provide assistance for fencing off indigenous forests from farmed lands. Often these costs are the major requirement within the protection package. They may be met from the fund. The size of blocks protected under the fund vary greatly. Eleven blocks of over 2000 ha have been approved by the Minister of Conservation for protection, including three blocks over 10,000 ha.