Māori Law Review

Te Kōti Mana Nui

Procedure - leave to appeal - Crown Forest Assets Act 1989 - Ruru v Attorney-General [2026] NZSC 79 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Comity - non-interference - Treaty settlement process - Lanauze v Attorney-General [2026] NZCA 244 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Matua – High Court

Procedure - application for hearing adjournment - Rakiura Tītī Committee v Reihana [2026] NZHC 1338 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Trusts - establishment of whānau trust - can a spouse be a beneficiary of a whānau trust - Whata v Kerr - Lynette Te Maari Whata Whānau Trust (2026) 131 Tākitimu MB 199 - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - breach of trustee duties - remedies - MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust (2026) 537 Aotea MB 1 - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - breach of trustee duties - further remedies - MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust (2026) 538 Aotea MB 260 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Land Court judgments - index

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MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust

(2026) 538 Aotea MB 260 (538 AOT 260)

24 June 2026

This is the third substantive judgment centred on internal trustee dysfunction within the Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust. Earlier in June 2026, the Court issued a decision in which it imposed stand-down periods on the trustees, but the Court reserved its decision on the balance of remedies. This judgment dealt with indemnity, repayment of remuneration and honoraria, orders relating to Te Rewarewa, and costs generally.

Download MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust (313 KB PDF). read more

Court of Appeal [2026] NZCA 244

10 June 2026

Unsuccesful appeal against High Court decisions striking out an application for declarations and declining to make interim orders

The trustees of the Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, on behalf of Imi Moriori, appealed against two decisions of the High Court about ongoing Treaty settlement negotiations between the Crown and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri. The Court agreed with the High Court that issuing the declaration and granting the interim orders sought by Imi Moriori would breach the principle of non-interference in parliamentary proceedings.

Download Lanauze v Attorney-General (437 KB PDF).

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MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust

(2026) 537 Aotea MB 1 (537 AOT 1)

5 June 2026

Decision on remedies following an earlier decision on trustee liability. The Court found that all of the trustees had fallen short of their obligations. However, the Court believed that imposing a stand-down period would be a more appropriate remedy than removal of the trustees for cause.

Download MacDonald v Gibson - Ngāti Tāwhirikura Hapū Charitable Trust (280 KB PDF). read more

Whata v Kerr - Lynnette Te Maari Whata Whānau Trust

(2026) 131 Tākitimu MB 199 (131 TKT 199)

2 June 2026

Application to establish a whānau trust. The issue for determination was whether a spouse can be a beneficiary of a whānau trust.

Download Whata v Kerr - Lynnette Te Maari Whata Whānau Trust (191 KB PDF). read more

Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Appeal - allocation of CNI forests land - tikanga-based resolution process - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa v CNI Iwi Holdings Limited [2026] NZCA 92 - Elizabeth Derby

Appeal - jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court - indefeasibility of registered title - Waikato River - Mercury NZ Limited v Māori Land Court [2026] NZCA 91 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Matua – High Court

Judicial review - jurisdiction to review party discipline - improper expulsion process - Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere [2026] NZHC 517 - Elizabeth Derby

Procedure - application to lift stay - Reihana v Rakiura Tītī Committee [2026] NZHC 72 - Elizabeth Derby

Procedure - application for hearing adjournment - Rakiura Tītī Committee v Reihana [2026] NZHC 1338 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

Costs - Special Aid Fund - Malcolm v Hahipene - Te Karaka 1B2B1 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 108 - Elizabeth Derby

Costs - 90% costs awarded - Phillips v Scott - Ōuri 1A3 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 165 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Succession - whāngai - previous succession to biological parent - Larkin - Succession to Tamati Noema Tawio (2026) 313 Taitokerau MB 192 - Elizabeth Derby

Alienation - definition of preferred class of alienees - Moratti - Lot 3 Deposited Plan 440262 (2026) 532 Aotea MB 172 - Elizabeth Derby

Partition - threshold requirement of necessity - development of a papakāinga - Biddle - Ruatoki A66 (2026) 370 Waiariki MB 239 - Elizabeth Derby

Partition - determination of ownership of dwelling - preliminary decision - Sievers - Ohau No 3 Subdivision No 6B (2026) 534 Aotea MB 178 - Elizabeth Derby

Occupation order - succession to occupation order - Fletcher - Part Matapouri 1A (2026) 311 Taitokerau MB 299 - Elizabeth Derby

Occupation order - determination of ownership of a dwelling - Thomas - Wharekauri No 1A No 2 (2026) 103 Te Waipounamu MB 124 - Elizabeth Derby

Chief Judge's powers - amendment of succession order - whāngai - Bevin v Winders - Succession to David Te Au (2026) Chief Judge's MB 559 - Elizabeth Derby

Status of land - application to change status to sell land - Kupa - Lot 10J Pt Omahu 2C1C and other blocks (2026) 128 Tākitimu MB 162 - Elizabeth Derby

Injunction - respondent to vacate land - Heta v Heta - Hauai 2D8 (2026) 311 Taitokerau MB 50 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Te Rōpū Whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi - Waitangi Tribunal

Legislation - Treaty principles references - Education and Training Act 2020 - Hūtia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea te kōmako e kō? The Interim Stage One Report of the Education and Training Amendment Act and Te Mātaiaho Urgent Inquiry (Wai 3353, 2026) - Elizabeth Derby

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Moratti - Lot 3 Deposited Plan 440262

(2026) 532 Aotea MB 172 (532 AOT 172)

24 April 2026

Application for the Court to make an order as to whether an incorporated society is a member of any preferred classes of alienees specified in s 4 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

Download Moratti - Lot 3 Deposited Plan 440262 (383 KB PDF). read more

Reihana v Rakiura Tītī Committee

Te Kōti Matua o Aotearoa - High Court

[2026] NZHC 72

2 February 2026

Application to lift the stay of judicial review proceedings relating to the management of the Rakiura Beneficial Tītī Islands.

Download Reihana v Rakiura Tītī Committee (281 KB PDF). read more

Larkin - Succession to Tamaiti Noema Tawio

(2026) 313 Taitokerau MB 192 (313 TTK 192)

29 April 2026

Application to succeed to the deceased as his whāngai. The Court determined whether the applicant was a whāngai of the deceased before determining whether she was entitled to succeed to his interests.

Download Larkin - Succession to Tamaiti Noema Tawio (254 KB PDF). read more

[2026] NZHC 1338

20 May 2026

Application for a hearing adjournment pending the outcome of other proceedings in the High Court. Granted for a different reason - absence to perform mahinga kai.

Download Rakiura Tītī Committee v Reihana (122 KB PDF). read more

Thomas - Wharekauri No 1A No 2

(2026) 103 Te Waipounamu MB 124 (103 TWP 124)

7 April 2026

Application for an occupation order and determination of ownership of a dwelling situated on Wharekauri No 1A No 2. The Court took into account the unique considerations for the best use and development of land on the Chatham Islands in its assessment of this application.

Download Thomas - Wharekauri No 1A No 2 (541 KB PDF). read more

Sievers - Ohau No 3 Subdivision No 6B

(2026) 534 Aotea MB 178 (534 AOT 178)

14 May 2026

Preliminary decision on applications for partition of Māori freehold land, change of status of land, and determination of ownership of a dwelling. In this decision, the Court considered whether the applicant, being non-Māori and the sole owner in the land, can apply for partition of the land. The Court also determined the ownership of the dwelling on the land.

Download Sievers - Ohau No 3 Subdivision No 6B (252 KB PDF). read more

Bevin v Winders - Succession to David Te Au

(2026) Chief Judge's MB 559 (2026 CJ 559)

8 April 2026

Application to amend a succession order to remove the deceased's whāngai from the list of successors on the basis that he was not entitled to succeed.

Download Bevin v Winders - Succession to David Te Au (634 KB PDF). read more

Heta v Heta - Hauai 2D8

(2026) 311 Taitokerau MB 50 (311 TTK 50)

27 March 2026

Application for an injunction requiring the respondent to vacate a garage on Hauai 2D8.

Download Heta v Heta - Hauai 2D8 (300 KB PDF). read more

Kupa - Lot 10J Pt Omahu 2C1C and other blocks

(2026) 128 Tākitimu MB 162 (128 TKT 162)

20 March 2026

Application to change the status of four sections of land to General land as the applicant was not able to sell them as Māori freehold land.

Download Kupa - Lot 10J Pt Omahu 2C1C and other blocks (198 KB PDF). read more

Biddle - Ruatoki A66

(2026) 370 Waiariki MB 239 (370 WAR 239)

17 April 2026

Decision on two applications seeking orders of partition of Ruatoki A Section 66 for the purpose of developing a papakāinga.

Download Biddle - Ruatoki A66 (548 KB PDF). read more

Fletcher - Part Matapouri 1A

(2026) 311 Taitokerau MB 299

14 April 2026

This application sought to vary an occupation order made in favour of the applicants' late mother. The Court considered whether the applicants could succeed to their mother's occupation order given that she was not an owner in the land that was subject to the order.

Download Fletcher - Part Matapouri 1A (248 KB PDF). read more

Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Appeal - allocation of CNI forests land - tikanga-based resolution process - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa v CNI Iwi Holdings Limited [2026] NZCA 92 - Elizabeth Derby

Appeal - jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court - indefeasibility of registered title - Waikato River - Mercury NZ Limited v Māori Land Court [2026] NZCA 91 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Matua – High Court

Judicial review - jurisdiction to review party discipline - improper expulsion process - Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere [2026] NZHC 517 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

Costs - Special Aid Fund - Malcolm v Hahipene - Te Karaka 1B2B1 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 108 - Elizabeth Derby

Costs - 90% costs awarded - Phillips v Scott - Ōuri 1A3 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 165 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Succession - whāngai - previous succession to biological parent - Larkin - Succession to Tamati Noema Tawio (2026) 313 Taitokerau MB 192 - Elizabeth Derby

Alienation - definition of preferred class of alienees - Moratti - Lot 3 Deposited Plan 440262 (2026) 532 Aotea MB 172 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Land Court judgments - index

Court of Appeal [2026] NZCA 92

27 March 2026

Appeals against decisions of the High Court regarding the distribution of Central North Island forests land among the Central North Island iwi.

Download Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa v CNI Iwi Holdings Limited (495 KB PDF).

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Court of Appeal [2026] NZCA 91

26 March 2026

This decision concerns claims to the bed and waters of the Waikato River. Twelve hapū and the Pouākani Claims Trust No 2 (the Pouākani claimants) appeal against a High Court decision that the Māori Land Court has no jurisdiction to inquire into fiduciary duty claims to General land or Crown land and no jurisdiction to make declarations about the ownership of water. Mercury NZ Limited, which holds certificates of title over parts of the river bed, appeals against the High Court's decision not to strike out the Pouākani claimants' customary land claim.

Download Mercury NZ Limited v Māori Land Court (872 KB PDF).

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Te Kōti Pīra – Court of Appeal

Judicial review - jurisdiction of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner - Reihana v Judicial Conduct Commissioner [2026] NZCA 76 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Matua – High Court

Parliamentary privilege - principle of non-interference in Parliamentary proceedings - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu v Minister of Conservation [2026] NZHC 722 - Elizabeth Derby

Judicial review - jurisdiction to review party discipline - improper expulsion process - Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere [2026] NZHC 517 - Elizabeth Derby

Judicial review - stay of proceedings - abuse of process - Reihana v Reihana [2026] NZHC 568 - Elizabeth Derby

Te Kōti Pīra Māori – Māori Appellate Court

Appeal - status of dwelling - two-stage test not applied - Moetara v Rakete - Pakanae 2W1B [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 39 - Elizabeth Derby

Appeal - status of land - estoppel - Round Corner Limited v Deputy Registrar - Moutere 8B2 Sec 1 Lot 3 Deposited Plan 20707 and Moutere 8B2 Sec 1 Lot 5 Deposited Plan 20707 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 190 - Elizabeth Derby

Costs - Special Aid Fund - Malcolm v Hahipene - Te Karaka 1B2B1 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 108 - Elizabeth Derby

Costs - 90% costs awarded - Phillips v Scott - Ōuri 1A3 [2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 165 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Appellate Court judgments - index

Te Kōti Whenua Māori – Māori Land Court

Procedure - judicial recusal - Mio - Tōrere Pā Reserve and Others (2026) 363 Waiariki MB 47 - Elizabeth Derby

Injunction - occupation of house - removal of trustees - Povey v Diamond - Otakanini L (2026) 308 Taitokerau MB 155 - Elizabeth Derby

Trusts - inappropriate use of trust funds - breach of trustee obligations - Miru v Te Awa - Te Komiti 2A1A (2026) 309 Taitokerau MB 300 - Elizabeth Derby

2026 Māori Land Court judgments - index

2025 Māori Land Court judgments - index

[2026] Māori Appellate Court MB 39 (2026 APPEAL 39)

17 February 2026

Appeal from a decision of the Māori Land Court that a garage on Pakanae 2W1B block was owned by the Ngā Uri o Iehu Moetara Ahu Whenua Trust (the Trust). The appellant argued that his whānau owned the garage. Leave to appeal out of time and leave to advance new matters granted.

Download Moetara v Rakete - Pakanae 2W1B (249 KB PDF). read more

Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere

Te Kōti Matua o Aotearoa - High Court

[2026] NZHC 517

10 March 2026

Successful application for judicial review of decisions made to suspend and expel Mariameno Kapa-Kingi from Te Pāti Māori.

Download Kapa-Kingi v Tamihere (4.3 MB PDF). read more