Tō mātou hītori
Our history

The modern Māori Land Court exists in an environment that is significantly different to that in which was created on 30 October 1865 by the General Assembly of the New Zealand Colony under the Native Lands Act 1865.

We were established to convert customary Māori land into titles which could be acquired, initially by the colonial government and later by individual settlers. Since the passing of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, our role is to:

• promote the retention of Māori land in the hands of its owners, whānau and hapū
• facilitate the occupation, development and use of Māori land
• ensure that decisions made about Māori land are fair and balanced taking into account the needs of all the owners and their beneficiaries.

On 30 October 2015 we turned 150 and to mark that milestone we produced a publication called ‘He Pou Herenga Tangata, He Pou Herenga Whenua, He Pou Whare Kōrero – 150 Years of the Māori Land Court’

Our publication provides a detailed history of the origins of the Native Land Court and looks at the role of the Court over its 150 year history. 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.