 Apart from a short period between 1989 - 1992, the owners of the island have received no royalties from the boat operators.Offers by the operators to work together with Motu Kōkako Ahu Whenua Trust were declined.A Treaty of Waitangi claim (Wai 2022) has been lodged by the Motu Kōkako Ahu Whenua Trust and is currently being considered.