The panel overseeing Maori land law reform says it got the jitters about recommending outsiders should manage whenua.
The Government backs the suggestion in a new Te Ture Whenua Maori bill, to make it easier for unused customary land to become productive through farming, forestry and agriculture.
The lawyer Matanuku Mahuika led an expert group examining existing legislation.
He says there was some anxiety over allowing the day-to-day management of land to shift from trustees to managers.
Mr Mahuika says the appointment of external management has to be temporary, with the operation of the block reverting to owners after a short time.
Traditionally, whenua is overseen by customary owners.
About 5 percent of land in New Zealand belongs Maori - but some of it's in gullies covered in gorse and going to waste.
And according to the government, 80 percent isn't making money.
To protect it, Maori land comes under Te Ture Whenua Maori Act.
But the Government doesn't think the legislation's working.
So, the Crown's driving reforms to make it more productive, encouraging farming, forestry and agriculture.
And one of the big changes being proposed is to allow managers to be appointed to administer under-utilised Maori blocks until the owners can be found to get them involved in running the land.
Some landowners point out it's not all about making money off Maori land - it's also about rangatiratanga and some whenua is also urupa.
The new Maori land bill is being written up by the Government.
