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The Māori Land Court and the Māori Appellate Court operate under the authority of the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. Both courts also consider other legislation to ensure that Māori land is treated as taonga-tuku-iho.

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Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 (the Act) sets out the full authority, power and limitations of the Māori Land Court and the Māori Appellate Court. The Act stipulates that the Court's objective is to keep Māori lands in Māori hands, protect wāhi tapu, and assist landowners in living on, developing, and using their land for the benefit of all owners, their whānau, and their hapū.

Our rules and regulations

The Māori Land Court Rules 2011 set out how we operate, including how we receive, review, notify, process, and conclude applications. By following these rules, we are able to ensure the accuracy of the court record and provide judges and registrars with the information they need to make informed decisions. 

There are various other rules and regulations under which we operate, including: 

Other acts and legislation

We hear applications relating to Māori freehold land under select Acts, or parts of them, including:

    • Property Law Act 2007
    • Family Protection Act 1955
    • Government Roading Powers Act 1989
    • Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949
    • Local Government Act 1974.

There are various other Acts which we operate under, including:

  • The Māori Purposes Act 1983 enables the Court to determine entitlements to Tītī Islands interests. 

     

  • The Māori Purposes Act 1991 has limited powers extended to the Court in relation to the Wi Pere Trust. 

     

  • The Māori Fisheries Act 2004 enables a Judge of the Māori Land Court to give advice about or determine disputes regarding entitlements.

  • The Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 enables a Judge of the Māori Land Court to give advice about disputes regarding entitlements.

  • The Protected Objects Act 1975 has the power to determine ownership of any taonga tūturu found anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand or within the territorial waters of New Zealand.

  • The Fisheries Act 1996 enables a Judge of the Māori Land Court to hear applications and make recommendations for the establishment of a Taiapure - local fishery. 

  • The Local Government Act 2002 has power to grant and discharge charging orders over Māori land for payment of outstanding rates. 

     

Ngā kupu ture
Legal terms

Read about the legal terms used in the Māori Land Court. 

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993

Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, the Māori Land Court Rules and Regulations are the legal responsibility of Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry of Māori Development) on behalf of the Minister for Māori Development.

Māori Land Court Rules 2011

Read the Māori Land Court Rules 2011.