We understand that you may have recently participated in a broader survey about Māori Land Court services. This survey focuses on your experiences with Pātaka Whenua (our online portal) and is part of our commitment to listening and improving.
Currently Aotearoa New Zealand has 11 women judges of Māori ancestry who serve on the High Court, District Court and Māori Land Court. That figure represents about 4.8% of the judiciary.
The Special Aid Fund is administered by the Chief Registrar, any complaints about the
administration and operation of the Special Aid Fund should be made to the Chief
Registrar of the Māori Land Court and copied to the Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court.
Freehold titles are often divided by partition order.
The land retains the status of Māori land. The status of the land will continue to
be Māori land unless and until the Māori Land Court makes an order changing the
status of the land.
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Māori Land Update –
Ngā Āhuatanga o te whenua
June 2025 | Hune 2025
This update is issued by the Office of the Chief Registrar, Māori Land Court | Te Kooti Whenua Māori
to provide key statistics on Māori land, including the number and total area of Māori Customary Land
(MCL) and Māori Freehold Land (MFL) blocks, and how many of these are managed by trusts or
incorporations versus those that are not.
The bench remains concerned about the cost of the delays. It’s not about the backlog, rather it’s the impact that the delays have had on Māori land owners, their whanau and their hapū, as ultimately justice delayed is justice denied.
