A tāngata whenua rōpū (group) of business people, lawyers and academics has been assembled to help the government push through its proposed new Māori land legislation.
Ministers want whenua to be more productive and make more money.
They have a bill before Parliament to replace Te Ture Whenua Māori Act.
Māori Development Minister Hon Te Ururoa Flavell said there are 1.4 million hectares of Māori-owned land and 80 percent was considered under-used.
The Ministerial Advisory Group appointments are Kingi Smiler (Chair), Matānuku Mahuika, Traci Houpapa, Spencer Webster, Linda Te Aho, Sacha McMeeking and Dr Tanira Kingi.