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.
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.
1 CJ Media statement, “Note from Chief Justice Winkelmann” released 25 March 2020. 2 Māori Land Court COVID-19 Court protocol as at 23 March 2020. 3 Māori Land Court COVID-19 Court protocol as at 20 April 2020. 4 Māori Land Court COVID-19 Court protocol as at 12 May 2020.
You can combine Māori land, general land, or both, regardless of size, shape, location, or status.
In accordance with tikanga Māori there is no distinction to be drawn between whenua (land) that is dry and land that is covered by the sea.
Documents/Judges-corner-articles/JWI-ACPECT-Presentation-2022.pdf (540 kb)
If the trustees acquire further land or other assets for the purposes of the trust, that land becomes trust land, and the other assets become trust property.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Ahu-Whenua-Trust-Order-Template-18082025.pdf (444 kb)
Now, landowners and other court users can choose to resolve disputes related to Māori land through a free tikanga-based dispute resolution service provided by the Māori Land Court.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Dispute-resolution-service-web-version.pdf (132 kb)
A mortgage or loan may be acquired by: the sole owner of a Māori land block all the owners of a Māori land block acting together the trustees of a Māori land block who are empowered to raise finance against the block, or a Māori Incorporation which holds Māori land.
The Act now clarifies that Māori Land Court judges will follow the tikanga of the hapū or iwi associated with the land being succeeded to when deciding whether whāngai can succeed to a land interest.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Succession-for-whangai-web-version.pdf (172 kb)
A whenua tōpū trust can also hold non-land assets, such as houses, vehicles, or general land interests.
