Under the Māori Affairs Act 1953, Pukerewa whenua (Ahu Ponga) was amalgamated under one title, "Pukerewa A Block Trust". In 1957, the Pukerewa development committee was established, and in conjunction with the Department of Māori Affairs, oversaw the development of the whenua expecting to have 2,500 out of a total of 2,700 acres in grass.