A group set to take legal action over Shelly Bay says it's on track to make a move this month

Mau Whenua is a group within local iwi arguing its land should never have been sold to developers.

It's become an incorporated society in preparation for litigation.

A Mau Whenua spokeswoman says the group's been incorporated under legal advice.

She says the society will be used as a vehicle to take legal action on behalf of iwi members.

Their application to incorporate also shows a mandate to raise money and collect donations to fund litigation.