February 2020 Māori Law Review

2020 Māori Land Court judgments – index

This table lists the 2020 judgments of the Māori Land Court and contains links to reports about the decisions.

For other years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023. Follow this link for the 2020 Māori Appellate Court judgments index.

2020 Māori Land Court judgments

Judgment dateCitationMinute BookMLISLegislationSubject
2020
15.01.20Reuben - Allotments 170-176 Parish of ManurewaChief Judge's MB 52020 CJ 5Māori Land Court Rules 2011, rule 4.10(3)Registrar's decision - refusal of applications.
24.01.20Ketu - Te-Ringahuia-RangitakatuChief Judge's MB 252020 CJ 25Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession - determination of ownership of house.
03.02.20Clarke v Overington - Maketu A Section 39 Block and Lot 2 Deposited Plan South Auckland 25586Chief Judge's MB 352020 CJ 35Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession - status of land.
03.02.20New Zealand Road Transport Agency - Kaiti 336F Roadway92 Tairawhiti MB 287
92 TRW 287
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 181Determination of ownership of a roadway.
04.02.20Broughton - Estate of Piripi Tairawhiti TotorewaChief Judge's MB 632020 CJ 63Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Chief Judge's powers - succession.
04.02.20
Cock - Estate of Paora Kingi
Chief Judge's MB 502020 CJ 50Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession.
04.02.20
Papuni - Estate of Barbara Lois Rewha
208 Taitokerau MB 296208 TTK 296Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 113 and 118Succession.
07.02.20
Rata - Whataarakai No 1 Roadway and Lot 1 Deposited Plan 374627
Chief Judge's MB 742020 CJ 74Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Chief Judge's powers - access - roadway.
12.02.20
McLeod v Nga Uri A Maata Ngapo Charitable
198 Waikato Maniapoto MB 5198 WMN 5 Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, ss 2, 17, 18, 45 and 338Māori Reservations - redefine - voting.
12.03.20
Stewart v Eru - Estate of Teressa Ivor Silcock
200 Waikato Maniapoto MB 184
200 WMN 184Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 79Succession.
17.03.20
Priest - Ngati Rahiri 1A, 3E, 4, 4Y, 6C, 6G and 7C Māori Reservation
414 Aotea MB 33414 AOT 33Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 222, 338 and 339; Māori Reservation Regulations 1994, regulation 21Māori Reservations - inquiry not required - trustee appointment.
18.03.20
Austen v The Far North District Council - Okahu 4D
209 Taitokerau MB 150209 TTK 150Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 43 and 79Rehearing - easement - costs.
18.03.20
Kake - Estate of Aldyth Kaka
209 Taitokerau MB 134209 TTK 134Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 18, 19 and 330Succession.
18.03.20Wellington v Wellington - Tuateanui 2B1A Māori Reservation209 Taitokerau MB 59209 TTK 59Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 238 and 339Māori Reservations - replacement and appointment of trustees - validity of meetings.
20.03.20
Albert v Trustees of the Joseph and Myra Whanau Trust 
209 Taitokerau MB 162209 TTK 162Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 241Whanau trust.
20.03.20
Wharerau v Wade - Whakarewarewa Lot 29 Block (Wāhiao Meeting House)
232 Waiariki MB 44232 WAR 44Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 239 and 240Māori Reservations - administration - inquiry - election processes.
24.03.20
Seymour v Spelman - Kawhia 02 Section 4 Block (Waipapa Marae)
201 Waikato Maniapoto MB 45201 WMN 45Māori Reservation Regulations 1994, regulation 21Administration of a reservation.
24.03.20Tamakehu v Te Uamairangi Ohotu No.1C No.1 Block 414 Aotea MB 59 414 AOT 59Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 240Māori Reservations - trustee removal - trustee management.
03.04.20
McLeod - Mangatawa 2B 2A Block (Tamapahore Marae)
201 Waikato Maniapoto MB 145201 WMN 145Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 239 and 338, Māori Reservation Regulations 1994, regulation hMāori Reservations - trustee removal - consequences.
07.04.20
Atutahi - Ototoika A14 Block
201 Waikato Maniapoto MB 153201 WMN 153Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 18 and 289Succession - ownership of a dwelling.
14.04.20
Te Kani - Mangatawa No 9B, No3B, No 2B Block
201 Waikato Maniapoto MB 168201 WMN 168Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 237 and 238, Trustee Act 1956, section 72Trustees - defacto trustees - breach of trust.
24.04.20
Pihema v Pihema - Lot 18 Deposited Plan 28604 (NA31C-254)
209 Taitokerau MB 175209 TTK 175Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Trusts - removal of trustee.
28.04.20
Tau v Pitama - Kaiapoi Section 149B
62 Te Waipounamu MB 16962 TWP 169Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 289Partition - mortgage finance - district plan requirements.
29.04.20
Wikiriwhi v Walters - Oruanui 9 Block and Part Oruanui 10 Block, Lot 1 Deposited Plan 471989 and Lot 2 Deposited Plan 471989
232 Waiariki MB 212232 WAR 212Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 213, 238 and 240Trusts - conflict of interest - sub-division and sale of land.
30.04.20
Bloor v Pomana - Matawihi 1A
82 Tākitimu MB 13682 TKT 136Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 2239 and 240Trusts - removal of trustees.
30.04.20
Wallace v Downes - Waiunu and other blocks
414 Aotea MB 81414 AOT 81Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 239 and 241Trusts - partial termination of whānau trust.
06.05.20
Kingsnorth v Crawford - Motuaruhe 5D Block
233 Waiariki MB 39233 WAR 39Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 79Costs - ownership of house - compensation.
11.05.20
Taueki v Procter - Horowhenua 11 Lake Block
415 Aotea MB 1
415 AOT 1Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 43, 19, 238, 239 and 240Injunction - conflict of interest - power to delegate trusts - trustee removal/reappointment - application to bar further proceedings.
18.05.20
White and Te Korowai Tiaki o Te Hauāuru Incorporated Society v Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama Trust
415 Aotea MB 164415 AOT 164Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 236, 237, 238 and 240, Trustee Act 1956, section 68Urgent injunction.
20.05.20
Te Amo v Nicholas - Te Whaiti Nui A Toi Block
233 Waiariki MB 92
233 WAR 93
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 18Injunction - fixtures - occupation order.
26.05.20
Haretuku - Estate of Pirihira Te Whatu
Chief Judge's MB 1422020 CJ 142Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession - amending succession order.
03.06.20
Hamon v Te Maari - Mangakino Pouakani Marae
233 Waiariki MB 296233 WAR 296Māori Reservation Regulations 1994, regulation 21Trusts - voting rights.
05.06.20
Saifiti v Shortcliffe - Francis Ruldoph Shortcliffe Whānau Trust
416 Aotea MB 275416 AOT 275Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 241Trusts.
08.06.20
Parata - Waitangi A1A2
95 Tairawhiti MB 21095 TRW 210Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 239Appointment of trustee.
24.06.20
Ua v Ua - Succession to Te Waharoa Cookson Ua
64 Te Waipounamu MB 264 TWP 2Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 43Rehearing - granted out of time - no notice - succession.
24.06.20
Te Moni - Wharepouri Te Moni
Chief Judge's MB 544
2020 CJ 544Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Application for exercise of special powers - trusts.
26.06.20
Stirling - Opape No 1A No 1B
Chief Judge's MB 526
2020 CJ 526Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Chief Judge's powers - creation of whenua tōpū trust - breach of natural justice.
26.06.20
Jarrett - Estate of Ngapeeti Haora
Chief Judge's MB 561
2020 CJ 561Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Application for special exercise of powers.
26.06.20
Scott - Tiaho Mateparae Whānau Trust
417 Aotea MB 123
417 AOT 123Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 241Trusts - partial termination of whānau trust.
30.06.20
Walker - Mangawhati 3B3 and Mangawhati 3B1
214 Taitokerau MB 88
214 TTK 88Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction - General land - no jurisdiction.
03.07.20
Peacocke - Part Puketiti 2B 2B 1 Block and Lot 1-Deposited Plan South Auckland 33533
205 Waikato Maniapoto MB 202
205 WMN 202Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 18 and 131Land transfer - status of land.
07.07.20
Stewart v Stewart - Kaiwaitau 6 and Other Blocks
236 Waiariki MB 37
236 WAR 37Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 231 and 244Removal of trustee - breach of trust.
07.07.20
Manuel v Carroll - Lot 1 Deposited Plan 5004 Part Waimarama 3A1A1
83 Tākitimu MB 41
83 TKT 41Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction.
09.07.20
Seymour v Spelman - Kawhia 02 Section 4 Block (Waipapa Marae)
205 Waikato Maniapoto MB 45
205 WMN 45Māori Reservation Regulations 1994, r 21Inquiry into administration of reservation.
10.07.20
Tuhi v Tuhi - Toa Toa Tuhi Estate
283 Tākitimu MB 51
283 TKT 51Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 238Enforcement of obligations of trust.
22.07.20
Walker-Grace - Lot 5 Allotment 54 Parish of Matakohe
214 Taitokerau MB 211
214 TTK 211Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 43Application for rehearing.
28.07.20
Booth v Herlihy - Waikoukoutauanui 6B 6C and 6DB Block
2020 Chief Judge’s MB 632
2020 CJ 632Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Application of exercise of special powers - trusts - status of land.

Preliminary decision concerning the alienation of land interests set down for further hearing to determine whether (among other things) it was in the interests of justice to remedy the mistake or omission as to notice.

31.07.20
Phillips v King - Phillips Whānau Trust
418 Aotea MB 249
418 AOT 249Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 241Termination of trust.
06.08.20
Tareha v Pene - Waiohiki 1C1D
83 Tākitimu MB 294
83 TKT 294Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 231, 238, 239 and 240Trustees - breach of trust - tax.
12.08.20
Mau Whenua Incorporated v Mulligan - Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust
419 Aotea MB 112
419 AOT 112Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 237, 238Taranaki Whānau ki Te Upoko o Te Ika - trustees.
12.08.20
Maxwell - 313 Parish of Waimana
239 Waiariki MB 27
239 WAR 27Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 37, 67, 93, 231, 236 and 237Trustees - directions.
14.08.20
Paikea v Paikea - Wiremu Mitai Paikea Whānau Trust
215 Taitokerau MB 229
215 TTK 229Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 241Creation of whānau trust.
18.08.20
Tihi v Nuku Ruatoki B Sections Aggregated Ruatoki C Sections Aggregated
238 Waiariki MB 127
238 WAR 127Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 18Trust - ownership of house.
18.08.20
Emmerson - Estate of Beatrice Annie Loper
Chief Judges MB 692
2020 CJ 692Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession.
24.08.20
Broughton v Tukapua - Horowhenua 11B36 2L4A Reservation Kawiu Marae
419 Aotea MB 144
419 AOT 144Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 37, 67, 237 and 238, Māori Regulations 1994, r 12Trustees.
26.08.20
Te Moni - Estate of Wharepouri Te Moni
Chief Judges MB 714
2020 CJ 714Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession.

Submissions received on the issue of succession by whāngai did not change the Court’s conclusions that the Registrar had made a mistake of law and it concluded the s 45 application be granted as per the preliminary judgment.

28.08.20
Stone v Couch - Rapaki MR875 39A
65 Te Waipounamu MB 61
65 TWP 61Māori Reservations Act 1994, section 21Inquiry into administration of Reservation.
31.08.20
Raukawa v Lux - Opape 3A1E
238 Waiariki MB 119
238 WAR 119Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 338Trustees.
03.09.20
Taniwha v Sheehan - Ririwha (Stephenson Island)
216 Taitokerau MB 274
216 TTK 274Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 37, 231, 238, 239 and 240Removal of trustees.
15.09.20
Davis - Succession to Huia Johrene Davis
420 Aotea MB 198
420 AOT 198Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 118Succession - whāngai.
17.09.20
Murray - Ohawini B1
217 Taitokerau MB 99
217 TTK 99Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993Occupation order.
23.09.20
Collier - Torere Reserves Trust
241 Waiariki MB 13
214 WAR 13Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction - trespass.
28.09.20
Pairama v Tutara - Ururua 2B2
217 Taitokerau MB 153
217 TTK 153Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Application for injunction - whānau house.
28.09.20
Pritchard - Rangitatau Waitotara 3F1 and 3A
421 Aotea MB 140
421 AOT 140Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 215Ahu Whenua Trust.
07.10.20
Tipene - Taiwhakaea B Block
241 Waiariki MB 115
241 WAR 115Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 37, 67, 237 and 338.Jurisdiction of court - enforcement of obligations of trust.
08.10.20
Phillips v King - Phillips Whanau Trust
421 Aotea MB 216
421 AOT 216Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 240Removal of trustee.
09.10.20
Ngatai v Tawhai - Wharawhara 22
241 Waiariki MB 252
241 WAR 252Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 231, 237-240Removal of trustees.
16.10.20
Solomon v Solomon - Manukau Lands Trust
66 Te Waipounamu MB 207
66 TWP 207Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 240Removal of trustees.
22.10.20
Maruera v Te Runanga o Ngati Maru Taranaki Trust
2020 Chief Judge’s MB 965
2020 CJ 965Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Application to amend or cancel terms of a trust.
27.10.20
Peters v Tai - Poua Lands Trust
242 Waiariki MB 212
242 WAR 212Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 37, 40, 98, 231, 238 and 240Trustees.
30.10.20
Boon v Tuwhangai - Kawhia U2B Block
Chief Judges MB 1084
2020 CJ 1084Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 45Succession.
10.11.20
Kupa v Kupa - Lot 10H and 101 Pt Omahu 2C1C
85 Tākitimu MB 189
85 TKT 189Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 214Creation of a whānau trust.
19.11.20
Warren v Ropitini - Ouri 1A3 Block
423 Aotea MB 193
423 AOT 193Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction application.
19.11.20
Reti - Succession to Jemima Reti
Chief Judges MB 1243
2020 CJ 1243Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession - whāngai.
20.11.20
Rihari v Auckland -Takou Trust Ahu Whenua Trust
220 Taitokerau MB 136
220 TTK 144Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 238 and 239Removal of trustees.
25.11.20
Clarke - Poukawa Patangata Ahu Whenua Trust
86 Takitimu MB 52
86 TKT 52Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 231Review of trust.

Application for review of trust granted and trustees directed to include voting by proxy in the agenda for the next AGM and explore the papakainga proposal.

25.11.20
Rophia v Tipene - Matua Porangahau No2B No 10
86 Takitimu MB 84
86 TKT 84Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 67, 231, 237, 238 and 239Trustees.
26.11.20
Miru Whanau Trust - Waimata 2E
221 Taitokerau MB 243
221 TTK 243Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 112, 118, 151, 158 and 241Alienation - application for termination of trust.
30.11.20
Broughton - Horowhenua 11B36 Sec 2L4A Kaiwiu Marae
424 Aotea MB 20
424 Aotea 20Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 67, 237 and 238Trustees - conflict of interest - duty.
1.12.20
Gulati Enterprises Ltd - Rangitaiki 28B 3C2
244 Wairiki MB 149
244 WAR 149Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 67Judicial Conference - request for adjournment until High Court judgment released - roadway.
9.12.20
Benioni - Succession to John Benjamin Karaitiana
Chief Judges MB 1341
2020 CJ 1341Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 45Succession - amendment.

Application to amend a succession order granted as an error was made excluding a daughter of the deceased in the succession order.

16.12.20
Fox - Omuriwaka Maori Reservation
246 Waiariki MB 139
246 WAR 139Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 239 and 338Reappointment of trustees refused. Disqualified.
16.12.20
Timutimu v Ruwhiu - Waiohau C Section 22
246 Waiariki MB 276
246 WAR 277Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 19 and 238Injunction - trustee - enforcement of obligations of trust.
17.12.20
Thompson v Randell - Omahu 4C4 Trust
86 Takitimu MB 219
86 TTK 219Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 239 and 240Removal of trustees.
18.12.20
Deputy Registrar - Whenuanui 2B
222 Taitokerau MB 236
222 TTK 236Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 18Procedure - stay granted - status of land and indefeasibility of title - Jurisdiction of the High Court.
21.12.20
Te Whare - Succession to Peter Ateha Joseph Reneti Te Whare
67 Te Waipounamu MB 275
67 TWP 275Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 113 and 118Succession.
22.12.20
Te Korowai Tiaki o Te Hauāuru Incorporated v Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama Trust
425 Aotea MB 203
425 AOT 203Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 19, 67, 236, 237, 238, 239 and 240Trustees.
22.12.20
Roman Catholic Bishop - Parawai No.2B No.1A (General Land) SA 388 52
245 Waiariki MB 260
245 WAR 260Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 67Returning of church land.
22.12.20
Powell v Savage - Lot 7A Parish of Matata (Oniao Marae)
245 Waiariki MB 265
245 WAR 265Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 67Trustees.
23.12.20
Pirini v Ure - Oakura Pa
425 Aotea MB 237
425 AOT 237Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 240Trustees - resignation - removal.
23.12.20
Paenga v Te Maari - succession to Eileen Te Atakura Kingi
425 Aotea MB 248
425 AOT 248Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 43Whāngai.
24.12.20
Baker v Hemana - Tataraakina C
87 Takitimu MB 100
87 TKT 100Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction.

Application for injunction seeking to stop a scheduled 1080 drop on trust land dismissed as the same reasoning that has applied to the applicant’s previous applications continue to apply here, namely that the trust order clearly empowers the trust to sanction a 1080 drop.

24.12.20
Aramatua Trust v Michael Shane Proctor - Nuhaka 2C2X
99 Tairawhiti MB 106
99 TRW 106Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 19Injunction.

Application for injunction granted as respondent in occupation of trust land without formal consent of the trustees.

24.12.20
Hutcheson v Clarkson - Mangamaire B No 2 Block
86 Takitimu MB 283
86 TTK-283Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 67, 238 and 240Trustees - removal of trustees - breach of trust.
24.12.20
Hunia v Hunia - Whiritoa Rangitaiki 60B4B2B Block
247 Waiariki MB 27
247 WAI 27Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, sections 40, 67, 98, 236 - 240Trustees - estate debt.
24.12.20
Trustees of Part Rotomahana Parekarangi 8-Reservation v Cochrane - Part Rotomahana Parekarangi 8 Reservation
247 Waiariki MB 34
247 WAI 34Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, section 18, 40 and 98Hearing and determination of a claim founded in tort - proposal to commission expert witness.

 

Author: Laura Sturch

Laura is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington, completing her conjoint LLB/BCom in October 2020. She is currently completing her Professional Legal Studies Course with the College of Law. Laura has a particular interest in Māori law, trusts, legal history and employment law. On weekends, Laura enjoys spending time with her whānau and friends, baking scones and playing the piano.