To stop or close an existing roadway, written consent must be obtained from:
the Minister of Transport, and
the local council.
Landowners or representatives of the New Zealand Transport Agency or local council can apply for the returned ownership of a closed or stopped road to the original landowners.
A mortgagee can exercise the power of mortgagee sale over whenua Māori in the same
way as any other land. While there are certain requirements placed on other
sales/alienation of whenua Māori by the Act, those do not apply to a mortgagee sale.
The period covered has been one of change for the Court, with the introduction of the new Pātaka Whenua system to support Court kaimahi, judges and landowners. As the report discusses, this has been a difficult process and has led to delays that have affected landowners and other Court users.
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.
