Māori Land Court application guides
How to apply for partition of
Māori freehold land
Date produced: December 2025
Last modified: June 2026
Understanding partition
Types of partition
2
māorilandcourt.co.nz
Option three – Full partition
A full partition means some or all the new blocks may be transferred to people outside the existing
ownership, hapū or group associated with the land.
Hold a whānau hui
Meet with your whānau (in person or online) to discuss:
• why you want to form the trust
• who the trustees will be
• what land interests will be vested
2. Record hui minutes
Take clear notes of the decisions made during the hui.
Tōku Whenua Reports
Te Puni Kōkiri provide Tōku Whenua reports, which can help you find out what's possible for your whenua.
Toitū Te Whenua
Land Information New Zealand
Toitū te Whenua hold information about historical transfers, surveying titles, or land that has been converted to general land.
Constitute an ahu whenua or whenua tōpū trust
[Discussion notes and resolution]
Moved by: Seconded by: Move the resolution: Āe/Kāo
2. Terms of trust order
[Discussion notes and resolution]
Moved by: Seconded by: Move the resolution: Āe/Kāo
3.
Succession without a will or administration (Form 22)
Sections 113 and 118 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 and rules 10.2(1) and (2) of the Māori Land Court Rules 2011
Use this form when the deceased did not leave a will, or if they have left a will but there is no need
to obtain administration.
If you complain by email, you will receive an automatic reply from the mailbox letting you know we received it, and that we’ll be in touch to confirm that we received it within 2 working days (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
