Māori Law Review

Te Pōtitanga Whānui - General Election

2023 General Election and government formation - Craig Linkhorn

Te Kōti Pīra - Court of Appeal

Takutai Moana - controversy over the test for customary marine title - Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka v Te Kāhui and Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board [2023] NZCA 504 - Sarah Down

Te Kōti Matua - High Court

Judicial review - Te Urewera huts - retrospective operational plan - Tuna v Te Urewera Board [2023] NZHC 3680 - Craig Linkhorn

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

Procedure - case stated - refused - lower Court to determine issues at first instance - Deputy Registrar - Succession to Philomena Jane Smith [2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 181 (2023 APPEAL 181) - Craig Linkhorn

Chief Judge's powers - succession - Reti v Reti-Steel - Hemaima Reti [2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 274 (2023 APPEAL 274) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Injunction - revoked - Te Amo v Nicholas - Te Whaiti-Nui-A-Toi Block (2023) 306 Waiariki MB 7 (306 WAR 7) - Elizabeth Derby

Alienation - preferred class of alienees - Jury v Korff - Rural Sec. 46 Blk V Waitara East Sub A (2023) 476 Aotea MB 28 (476 AOT 28) - Elizabeth Derby

Occupation order - granted - Norman - Nuhaka 2D2M1A3 (2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 149 (122 TRW 149) - Elizabeth Derby

Occupation order - insufficient support - Smith - Nuhaka 2A4A9Y2 Block (2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 192 (122 TRW 192) - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - removal of trustee - Fruean v Knuckey - Waitara West 52D (2023) 475 Aotea MB 284 (475 AOT 284) - Elizabeth Derby

Incorporations - order for new election - Ferris v Proprietors of Nuhiti Q - Nuhiti Q Māori Incorporation (2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 101 (122 TRW 101) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Waitangi Tribunal

Pūrongo-ā-Tau o te Matariki 2022 ki 2023 | Annual Report Matariki 2022 – 2023

Ngā Whakaturetanga - Legislation

Treaty settlement legislation before the House of Representatives in 2023 - Dr Carwyn Jones

Student editor 2024

Applications have now closed for the Student Editor role for 2024. Considering applying for 2025? If so, there is more information here.

Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition 2023

Harry Waddington, a student at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury has won the 2023 Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition. Harry's essay will be published in the February 2024 edition of the Māori Law Review.

Tuna v Te Urewera Board 

High Court [2023] NZHC 3680

14 December 2023

Successful judicial review that decision-making about the demolition of a network of huts in Te Urewera was unlawful. Appropriate relief to be the subject of a further judgment after hearing from the parties in light of this judgment.

Download Tuna v Te Urewera Board (2.3 MB PDF). read more

[2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 274 (2023 APPEAL 274)

22 December 2023

Appeal from a s 45 decision of the Māori Land Court concerning the entitlement of the deceased's whāngai son to succeed to her Māori land interests.

Download Reti v Reti-Steel - Hemaima Reti (381 KB PDF). read more

The Electoral Commission released the final results of the 14 October general election on 16 November 2023 and supplemented the results with more detailed analysis of voting behaviour in December 2023. read more

Court of Appeal [2023] NZCA 504

18 October 2023

Appeals from the High Court's determination under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. Sarah Down examines the approach the Court's judgments took to interpreting the tests in the legislation for customary marine title. The participants were groups who broadly make up Te Whakatōhea iwi and the area for determination is the marine and coastal area from Maraetōtara to Te Rangi, including the marine and coastal area around Whakaari (White Island) and Te Paepae o Aotea.

Download Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) & Ors v Te Kāhui and Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board & Ors (1.7 MB PDF).

read more

(2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 192 (122 TRW 192)

14 December 2023

Application did not command sufficient support for an occupation order for the purpose of placing a transportable house for the applicant to live in.

Download Smith - Nuhaka 2A4A9Y2 Block (322 KB PDF).  read more

(2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 149 (122 TRW 149)

8 December 2023

Application for an occupation order for the purpose of building a modular home on the Nuhaka 2D2M1A3 block.

Download Norman - Nuhaka 2D2M1A3 (310 KB PDF).  read more

Whakataunga – Overview

The Ngāti Hei Claims Settlement Bill, the Ngāti Paoa Claims Settlement Bill, and the Ngāti Tara Tokanui Claims Settlement Bill were progressed through the House in 2023. Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill, the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill, and Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill were introduced to the House in 2023. The Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Bill, the Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki Claims Settlement Bill, and the Tauranga Moana Iwi Collective Redress and Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Ranginui Claims Settlement Bill are before the House, but no progress was made on these in 2023. There was no settlement legislation enacted in 2023. read more

(2023) 122 Tairāwhiti MB 101 (122 TRW 101)

30 November 2023

Application seeking an investigation into the affairs of the Nuhiti Q Incorporation. A new election was ordered to address earlier invalid elections.

Download Ferris v Proprietors of Nuhiti Q - Nuhiti Q Māori Incorporation (578 KB PDF).  read more

(2023) 475 Aotea MB 284 (475 AOT 284)

16 November 2023

Application for removal of a trustee of the Waitara West 52D Māori Reservation Trust.

Download Fruean v Knuckey - Waitara West 52D (371 KB PDF).  read more

(2023) 476 Aotea MB 28 (476 AOT 28)

23 November 2023

Application for a vesting order to vest the applicant’s shares in Rural Sec. 46 Blk V Waitara East Sub A (the whenua) in the respondent.

Download Jury v Korff - Rural Sec. 46 Blk V Waitara East Sub A (223 KB PDF).  read more

(2023) 306 Waiariki MB 7 (306 WAR 7)

1 December 2023

Decision following a direction from the Court of Appeal to reconsider an injunction application granted in 2019.

Download Te Amo v Nicholas - Te Whaiti-Nui-A-Toi Block (244 KB PDF).  read more

Tikanga Māori

Tikanga Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand law - He Poutama (SP 24), Te Aka Matua o Te Ture | Law Commission - Carwyn Jones

Te Kōti Mana Nui – Supreme Court

Takutai Moana - Paul v Attorney-General [2023] NZSC 135

Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Takutai Moana - Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) & Ors v Te Kāhui and Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board & Ors [2023] NZCA 504 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

Procedure - case stated - refused - lower Court to determine issues at first instance - Deputy Registrar - Succession to Philomena Jane Smith [2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 181 (2023 APPEAL 181) - Craig Linkhorn

Natural justice - determination without a hearing - Tana v Gilbert - Pukahakaha East 5B4 and other blocks [2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 206 (2023 APPEAL 206) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Chief Judge's powers - cancellation of succession orders - Gilvray v Rungarunga - Succession to Tamati Rungarunga (2023) Chief Judge's MB 551 (2023 CJ 551) - Elizabeth Derby

Chief Judge's powers - cancellation of succession orders - Peta v Hemara - Succession to Henry Peta also known as Te Whero Te Uraotera (2023) Chief Judge's MB 731 (2023 CJ 731)- Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - establishment of whenua tōpū trust - appointment of trustees - Herangi - Lot 12 Deposited Plan 8805 Block (2023) 259 Waikato Maniapoto MB 126 (259 WMN 126) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Waitangi Tribunal

Takutai Moana - The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 Inquiry Stage 2 Report (Wai 2660, 2023)

Procedure - Guide to Practice and Procedure for the Waitangi Tribunal 2023

Pūrongo-ā-Tau o te Matariki 2022 ki 2023 | Annual Report Matariki 2022 – 2023

Student editor 2024

The Co-editors of the Māori Law Review want to appoint a Student Editor for 2024 to assist with producing the Review. Applications close on 6 December 2023. There is more information here.

Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition 2023

Entries for the 2023 Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition sponsored by the Māori Law Review have now closed. For details see this page.

(2023) Chief Judge's MB 551 (2023 CJ 551)

7 September 2023

Application to cancel succession orders made in relation to the estate of Tamati Rungarunga (the deceased) and to have new orders made naming the applicants as successors to the estate of the deceased.

Download Gilvray v Rungarunga - Succession to Tamati Rungarunga (319 KB PDF).  read more

(2023) Chief Judge's MB 731 (2023 CJ 731)

10 November 2023

Application to amend succession orders made in respect of the estate of Henry Peta also known as Te Whero Te Uraotera.

Download Peta v Hemara - Succession to Henry Peta also known as Te Whero Te Uraotera (343 KB PDF). read more

(2023) 259 Waikato Maniapoto MB 126 (259 WMN 126)

31 October 2023

Application to constitute a whenua tōpū trust on General land for social housing purposes.

Download Herangi - Lot 12 Deposited Plan 8805 Block (263 KB PDF). read more

[2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 181 (2023 APPEAL 181)

11 September 2023

The Court's Deputy Registrar filed an application stating a case to the Māori Appellate Court about succession issues. The Appellate Court declined to answer the case stated.

Download Deputy Registrar - Succession to Philomena Jane Smith (242 KB PDF). read more

[2023] Māori Appellate Court MB 206 (2023 APPEAL 206)

30 October 2023

A successful appeal, after leave to appeal out of time granted, because of a breach of natural justice in determining an application without a hearing.

Download Tana v Gilbert - Pukahakaha East 5B4 and other blocks (210 KB PDF). read more

Tikanga Māori

Tikanga Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand law - He Poutama (SP 24), Te Aka Matua o Te Ture | Law Commission - Carwyn Jones

Te Kōti Mana Nui – Supreme Court

Takutai Moana - Paul v Attorney-General [2023] NZSC 135

Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Takutai Moana - Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) & Ors v Te Kāhui and Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board & Ors [2023] NZCA 504 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

2023 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Costs - withdrawn injunction application - Gemmell v Gemmell - Ngatarawa 2A3B1B2 and Section 1 Survey Office Plan 387653 and Others (2023) 105 Tākitimu MB 199 (105 TKT 199) - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - replacement of trustee - review of trust - The Māori Trustee - Whakakī 2H Block [2023] 121 Tairawhiti MB 203 (121 TRW 203) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Waitangi Tribunal

Takutai Moana - The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 Inquiry Stage 2 Report (Wai 2660, 2023)

Procedure - Guide to Practice and Procedure for the Waitangi Tribunal 2023

Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition 2023

Entries are open until 10 November 2023 for the 2023 Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie student essay competition sponsored by the Māori Law Review. For details see this page.

The Māori Trustee - Whakakī 2H Block 

Māori Land Court [2023] 121 Tairawhiti MB 203 (121 TRW 203)

27 October 2023

Application seeking to replace the Māori Trustee as the trustee of the Whakakī 2H Trust and seeking a review of trust.

Download The Māori Trustee - Whakakī 2H Block (235 KB PDF). read more

read more

Court of Appeal [2023] NZCA 504

18 October 2023

Appeals from the High Court's determination under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. The issue at the heart of this appeal was a contest between groups who broadly make up Te Whakatōhea iwi as to who should hold customary marine title over the marine and coastal area from Maraetōtara to Te Rangi, including the marine and coastal area around Whakaari (White Island) and Te Paepae o Aotea.

Download Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) & Ors v Te Kāhui and Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board & Ors (1.7 MB PDF).

read more

read more

(2023) 105 Tākitimu MB 199 (105 TKT 199)

9 October 2023

Decision on costs following a withdrawn application seeking an injunction against the trustees of the Ngatarawa Lands Trust.

Download Gemmell v Gemmell - Ngatarawa 2A3B1B2 and Section 1 Survey Office Plan 387653 and Others (231 KB PDF). read more

Tikanga Māori

Tikanga Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand law - He Poutama (SP 24), Te Aka Matua o Te Ture | Law Commission - Carwyn Jones

Te Kōti Matua – High Court

Judicial review - bylaw and customary rights - interim relief - Hart v Marlborough District Council [2023] NZHC 2714 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

2023 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Chief Judge's powers - amendment of succession orders - Twomey - Succession to Te Ngahoa Te Whaaro (2023) Chief Judge's MB 587 (2023 CJ 587) - Elizabeth Derby

Chief Judge's powers - amendment of succession orders - Crozier - Succession to Molly Crozier (2023) Chief Judge's MB 531 (2023 CJ 531) - Elizabeth Derby

Easements - change of status of land - Newton v Ashmore - Te Huruhi 12B Block (2023) 257 Waikato Maniapoto MB 91 (257 WMN 91) - Elizabeth Derby

Occupation order - insufficient support - Skerrett - Taumanu A (2023) 299 Waiariki MB 93 (299 WAR 93) - Elizabeth Derby

Partition - partial termination of trust - Hinaki v Nepe - Whāngārā A5 Block (2023) 120 Tairāwhiti MB 186 (120 TRW 186) - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - removal of beneficiary - partial termination of trust - Ratima v Ratima - Tahoraiti 2A 12A and Others (2023) 105 Tākitimu MB 29 (105 TKT 29) - Elizabeth Derby

2023 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2022 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Waitangi Tribunal

Procedure - Guide to Practice and Procedure for the Waitangi Tribunal 2023