Māori trustees and committee of management members are responsible for caring for and managing whenua on behalf of landowners (beneficial owners and beneficiaries). Landowners nominate trustees and elect committee of management members who are then confirmed and appointed by a judge or registrar.
Our key purpose is to promote the retention of Māori land in Māori hands, and to support landowners to use, occupy and develop their whenua for the benefit of all landowners, and their whānau and hapū.
The Māori Land Court warmly invites you once again to share your thoughts on the service you’ve received from us - this time, with a focus on your experience using Pātaka Whenua.
Whether you’re a landowner, currently working with us, or have engaged with us in the past, your feedback is important.
Although written for judges, its public release promotes transparency in the justice system, assists Māori landowners and their advisors, and supports educational purposes.
For office contact details, go to
www.māorilandcourt.govt.nz/contact-us
To download a form from our website, go to
www.māorilandcourt.govt.nz/application-forms
It is good to kōrero with whānau about whāngai succession
before applying to succeed to a deceased landowner’s
interests. Make the outcome of those conversations known
when making your application.
These updates, made through the Māori Land Court Amendment Rules 2026, are designed to make it easier for Māori landowners and whānau to engage with the Court and have their matters dealt with efficiently and fairly.
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.
This judgment is a significant milestone in the Māori Land Court and for Māori landowners. As the first fully bilingual judgment issued in its history, it signals the enhancement of te reo Māori in the Court.
Notice can be given by:
• placing a public notice in a newspaper in the district nearest the whenua
• writing a letter or sending an email to as many landowners as possible
• broadcasting on Māori and local radio stations and posting to community notice boards
• posting on social media used by your whānau.
2.
