Why and how the Rules are changing
The Rules set out how the Court operates – including what the Court and Registrar s must do, and what applicants and other parties need to do when filing applications and documents.
Māori Land Court fees are increasing from 1 July 2026
Kei ngā kaipupuri whenua puta noa i te motu, tēnā rā koutou katoa!
From 1 July 2026 , Māori Land Court fees increase by 2.25% .
The annual report reflects on what once again was very a busy year for the court, highlighting activity over the period, and giving insight into the collaborative efforts of the judiciary and the staff of the Māori Land Court to improve timeliness of outcomes for court users and to be a Māori Court that provides a shelter for the people, their land, and their kōrero.
Select the statement that applies.
I/We* have made reasonable inquiries as to a will, but have been unable to find a will and believe the deceased
left no will.
In August 2020, the Government passed targeted
changes to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 to simplify
the legal processes for owning, occupying and using
Māori land.
These changes make it easier to set up a Māori incorporation,
support good practices by incorporations, and provide
landowners with greater transparency of decisions made by
committee members.
Developed by judges for judges and published by Te Kura Kaiwhakawā (Institute of Judicial Studies), the bench book offers guidance on what judges may need to know, understand, and do when hearing applications in the Māori Land Court (the Court).
Importantly, it also tells the story of the modern Māori Land Court, who we are, what we do, and what motivates us to provide a high level of service to Māori landowners.
It is a good idea to ask them about:
What land blocks you might be an owner in
An accurate record of your whakapapa
How you became an owner or beneficiary to your whenua.
It is impossible to be categorical about what
relationships may give rise to concern about impartiality, but close blood relationships or
domestic relationships are clearly disqualifying.
