Near match search is now available across Ownership, Document, Block, and Management Structure. This makes it easier to find information even with partial or similar details. See the Search Tips page for guidance.
Our Te Waipounamu counter is temporarily relocating from Tuesday 7 April 2026. More details are here.
This increase is part of a wider change across all courts and tribunals in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
What does this mean for you?
If you file an application to the Māori Land Court or the Māori Appellate Court on or after 1 July 2025 , you will notice an increase in the fee you need to pay.
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.
They are designed to support our users with different levels of digital confidence and make searching easier to follow.
What the videos cover
The videos show how to use Near Match search to find:
documents
ownership information
land blocks
management structures
Where to find them
All four videos are available on the Pātaka Whenua guidance page on our website, alongside other user guides and troubleshooting information.
Other status types
As this update is specifically for Māori Customary Land and Māori Freehold Land it excludes the
following land status types that fall within the jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court:
Crown Land
Crown Land Reserved for Māori
General Land (which maybe vested in a Māori Land Trust)
General Land Owned by Māori (which maybe vested in a Māori Land Trust);
Ownership Only (ownership interests in secondary property rights such as easements,
bird...
Other status types
As this update is specifically for Māori Customary Land and Māori Freehold Land it excludes the
following land status types that fall within the jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court:
Crown Land
Crown Land Reserved for Māori
General Land (which maybe vested in a Māori Land Trust)
General Land Owned by Māori (which maybe vested in a Māori Land Trust);
Ownership Only (ownership interests in secondary property rights such as easements,
bird...
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.
Page 1 For more information visit www.māorilandcourt.govt.nz MLC 06/25 A1
Request for fee remittal, reduction or
refund
Māori Land Court Fees Regulations 2013, Regulation 7(1)(a)
For more information visit www.māorilandcourt.govt.nz
What is this document for?
All applications to the Māori Land Court and Māori Appellate Court require a fee to be paid before they can be lodged with
the Court.
Date of Death: (where applicable)
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS:
FULL NAMES OF THEIR PARENTS: Male Female Deceased
(a) Parent:
(b) Parent:
FULL NAMES OF THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Male Female Deceased
(a)
(b)
(c)
For more information visit www.māorilandcourt.govt.nz
APPLICATION FOR A SEARCH
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993
Form 19
Rule 10.1(1)
WHAT IS THIS FORM FOR?
Use this form to request a confirmed search of interests that may be held in the name of any deceased
person who may hav...
