Former Chief Māori Land Court Judge, who then became a Justice of the High Court, ET Durie provided the following analyses of the nature of Māori rights to land; Maori see themselves not as masters of the environment but as members of it.
Documents/Judges-corner-articles/JWI-ACPECT-Presentation-2022.pdf (540 kb)
Judges acting as mediators Kaiwhakawā Wilson Isaac Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu Judge Wilson Isaac was appointed to the Māori Land Court in March 1994. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court in 1999 and the Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court, and Chair of the Waitangi Tribunal in August 2009.
The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 introduces new provisions that allow owners of Māori land and water service providers to appeal to the Māori Land Court over decisions about access to Māori land for water infrastructure.
You will also need to be clear what the plan is for building on the land, including who the housing is for. Contact a Māori Land Court offices for further information about building on Māori land.
The Act also allows for appeals to the Māori Appellate Court in relation to decisions of the Māori Land Court around access to Māori land for water infrastructure.
Any final terms of trust are subject to confirmation by the Māori Land Court in accordance with sections 219 or 244 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. 5.
How to apply for Partition of Māori freehold land Read the guide here on how to apply for Partition of Māori freehold land.
She was sworn in as the Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court in August 2023. Her appointment to this role marks the first time since 1865 that a woman has led the Māori Land Court bench.
The new Mediation regime establishes a dispute resolution process based on tikanga Māori to assist owners of Māori Land to resolve disagreements and conflict about their land.
Why make this change? Succession to Māori land interests can be complex for whānau and for whāngai, and Māori land is often owned by members of different whānau (with different views on whāngai succession).
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Succession-for-whangai-web-version.pdf (172 kb)
