Occupation orders can now be granted not only to the landowner or any person entitled to succeed to their interest, but also to beneficiaries of the whānau trust that holds a beneficial interest in the land.
Examples of what could be considered ‘simple’ trust matters include: • forming a whānau trust for a single owner’s interests or shares; or • terminating a kaitiaki trust for a minor when the person reaches 20 years of age; or • appointing a trustee to a whānau trust.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Legislative-changes-affecting-trusts.pdf (303 kb)
Whānau trusts are related to interests in land, and allow individuals or groups to bring together their individual interests in different Māori and General Land blocks for the benefit of a defined class of beneficiary, normally the descendants of the people vesting their shares in trustees.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MLC-2017-03-03-RDS-Report.pdf (1.1 mb)
Disputes about whenua Māori can be complex and difficult for whānau. They can delay whānau connection to whenua, and plans for developing land.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Dispute-resolution-service-web-version.pdf (132 kb)
This helps to ensure the hearing goes as smoothly as possible for you and your whānau. Before the court hearing, we will contact you to arrange a test call.
Furthermore, the completion of succession through the Court often represents the only time the successors and whānau engage with someone who holds qualifications in the law in relation to their land.
Documents/Judges-corner-articles/MLC-2014-Jun-Judges-Corner-Ambler-J.pdf (191 kb)
Many urupā are traditional burial grounds, and are the places where whānau and hapū members expect to be buried when their time comes.
For example, for an application for succession, you’ll need a death certificate, any grant of administration (grant of probate2 or letters of administration3) or the original will, minutes of a whānau meeting if a whānau trust is required, and consents of the proposed trustees.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MOJ0217.6E-OCT21-Applications.pdf (335 kb)
[NAME OF MARAE] Marae Charter 1 Name and location 1.1 The name of the marae is [ ] Marae. 1.2 It is located at [ ]. 1.3 The land on which the marae sits is a Māori Reservation set aside for the purpose of [STATE PURPOSE EXPRESSED WHEN THE RESERVATION WAS MADE]. 2 Purpose 2.1 This charter is made under the Māori Reservation Regulations 1994 to set out clearly the purpose of the marae and the role of the marae trustees in managing and running it. 2.2 The function and purp...
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/05-08-2025-Marae-Charter-Template.pdf (632 kb)
WHAKAPAPA A person’s genealogy, or family tree, linking that person to a particular family and/or ancestor. WHĀNAU Family. Whānau is a wider concept than just immediate family of parents and siblings – it links people of one family to a common tipuna or ancestor.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MLC-2023-Glossary-of-terms.pdf (278 kb)
