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The Māori Land Court

Jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court

Jurisdiction in relation to Māori land

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, ss 18–20, 131, 237

The Māori Land Court has the power to deal with a range of issues relating to Māori land, including:

  • the status of land
  • successions (transfer of ownership when an owner dies)
  • the selling or gifting (“alienation”) of Māori land
  • the administration of Māori land trusts
  • Māori land trusts, incorporations and reservations
  • partitions (subdivisions) and other title improvements, and
  • issuing injunctions to stop something happening or make it happen.

Jurisdiction under other Acts

The Māori Land Court also has jurisdiction to hear cases under:

  • the Māori Fisheries Act 2004
  • the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004,
  • the Family Protection Act 1955
  • the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949
  • the Government Roading Powers Act 1989
  • the Local Government Act 1974
  • the Property Law Act 2007, and
  • a number of other Acts.

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Māori land

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and can help you apply to the Māori Land Court.

Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre

www.ngaitahulaw.org.nz

The Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre assists all Ngāi Tahu and all Māori living within the Ngāi Tahu rohe. They practise in Māori land law and in advocacy focused on kaupapa Māori.

Māori Land Court

www.justice.govt.nz/courts/maori-land-court

Find information about the Māori Land Court online.

Forms

www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz/apply/

Download application forms online.

Information booklets

www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz/about-mlc/publications

Download or view information booklets online.

National Pānui

www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz/about-mlc/publications/national-panui/#national-panui

View the National Pānui online or subscribe online.

Māori Land Online

www.maorilandonline.govt.nz

Search for Māori land interests online.

Te Tumu Paeroa: Office of the Māori Trustee

www.tetumupaeroa.co.nz

Search online for funds owing to beneficial owners.

Inland Revenue Department, Kaitakawaenga Māori service

www.ird.govt.nz/contactus/kaitakawaenga-maori

This service offers one-on-one tax advice; tax training or seminars; tax agencies at resource centres or marae; and school visits. This service will attend hui or come to you and provide other advice about your tax obligations.

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