However, “alienation” is broadly defined in Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. For instance, an alienation includes the making or grant of any lease, licence, easement, mortgage or charge or any kind of encumbrance or trust in respect of the land in the reservation.
In contrast new ahu whenua trusts for the management of Māori freehold land are regularly set up through the Māori Land Court.
The minimum number of trustees for a reservation is two people (unless the trustee is a body corporate 7, such as a Māori trust board or a Māori incorporation). A trustee does not have to be an owner in the land.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MLC-maori-reservations-english.pdf (389 kb)
The Māori Land Court has been here for 150 years and if Māori have their way, it is here to stay.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MLC-150-years-of-the-Maori-Land-Court.pdf (11 mb)
It would be interesting to see the response if our Māori Land Court required the parties’ written submissions in upcoming cases to be uploaded to the Māori land Court website prior to hearings.
The Act now enables trusts to grant leases and occupation licenses for the purposes of education, health or papakāinga housing for a period of more than 14 years.
They provide little or no protection against offensive or derogatory uses of Māori artistic and cultural works. And they sideline Māori and Māori cultural values from decisions of vital importance to their culture – for example, decisions about the flora, fauna and wider environment that created Māori culture, and decisions about how education, culture and heritage agencies support the transmission of Māori culture and identity.
Documents/Judges-corner-articles/JWI-ACPECT-Presentation-2022.pdf (540 kb)
TE KOOTI WHENUA MĀORI MĀORI LAND COURT RECUSAL GUIDELINES 1.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Maori-Land-Court-Recusal-Guidelines.pdf (226 kb)
The Māori Land Court ("Court") has constituted a whānau trust for the purposes set out in this Trust Order (“Order”).
If there is no quorum, the meeting may not proceed. Māori Land Court 3.21 The trustees must advise the Māori Land Court of the names of the trustees elected at any general meeting. 3.22 The election of trustees is subject to confirmation by the Māori Land Court. 4.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/05-08-2025-Marae-Charter-Template.pdf (632 kb)
