Ownership of the Arahura River was vested with the Mawhera Incorporation through the Maori Purposes Act 1976.  All pounamu within the catchment of the Arahura River was vested in the Incorporation through the Ngai Tahu Pounamu Vesting Act 1997.  The Waitaiki Reserve, within the catchment was vested through the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.