Historically, most succession applications were heard by a Māori Land Court judge. Now, if your succession application is assessed to be ‘simple and uncontested’, then it can be decided by a Māori Land Court registrar without a court sitting (unless you request to be heard by a judge in a court sitting).
If there is sufficient evidence produced to satisfy the Court of the case against you, judgment against you may be given in your absence.
Sitting period Closing date for lodgements 10 - 14 November 2025 Wednesday, 6 August 2025 9 - 13 February 2026 Wednesday, 5 November 2025 11 - 15 May 2026 Wednesday, 5 February 2026 10 - 14 August 2026 Wednesday, 6 May 2026 9 - 13 November 2026 Wednesday, 5 August 2026 Ngā tono ki te Kooti Pīra Māori Māori Appellate Court applications to be heard Pānui Māori Appellate Court sitting 12 February 2026 Māori Appellate Court sitting 12 February 2026...
The Chief Justice notes Chief Judge Fox’s long and exemplary service to the Court. Chief Judge Fox was appointed as Māori Land Court Judge in 2000, and as Deputy Chief Judge in 2010.
Documents/Articles/23-07-20-Media-Statement-Chief-Maori-Land-Court-Judge-appointment.pdf (400 kb)
The Māori Land Court is pleased to announce the public launch of Te Puna Manawa Whenua, the Māori Land Court Bench Book.
Te Puna Manawa Whenua is written by Māori Land Court judges. It is overseen by a judicial editing komiti, comprised of Māori Land Court judges, supported by legal research counsel from the Māori Land Court.
(state full name), apply to the Court to constitute a whānau trust in respect of: tick as appropriate all my/our land interests the land interests listed in the schedule hereto Details of proposed whānau trust: 1.
Documents/Forms/MLC-Form-36-Application-to-constitute-a-whanau-trust-202104.pdf (285 kb)
Ngā kōtitanga Court hearings See a list of court hearings coming up across all of our venues.
An application for judicial review must be submitted to the High Court of New Zealand, not the Māori Land Court.
order of the Māori Land Court dated: / / 2. Is title completed by survey?
Documents/Forms/MLC-Form-39-Application-for-a-partition.pdf (322 kb)
