Tūhono
Becoming a landowner
The process of becoming a landowner is called succession. When you become a landowner, you become a kaitiaki for the whenua — part of a long legacy of guardianship. You take on the responsibility of caring for the land and protecting it for our tamariki and mokopuna.
What is succession?
Succession is when interests or shares in whenua Māori are passed on to whānau after an owner dies. It's an official process done through the Māori Land Court.
Who can succeed
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 states who can, and who can't, succeed to whenua.
Preparing for succession
If you and your whānau have decided you're ready to start the succession journey, these are the first steps. If you need a hand at any stage, kaimahi at the Māori Land Court can help.
Applying for succession
When whānau are ready to succeed to the whenua, get in touch with kaimahi at the Māori Land Court — they can help you with your application.
Succession hearings at the Māori Land Court
The Māori Land Court is a court of record. Their role is to ensure that the correct details of Māori land owners are recorded against the whenua they own. Part of that includes hearing whānau applications to succeed to Māori land.
Transferring ownership through gifting or whānau trusts
Setting up a whānau trust or gifting your shares in whenua Māori is another way to sort out what will happen to the land when you're no longer here.
Sharing your succession with whānau
When you succeed, you become a kaitiaki of both the whenua, and the knowledge you gained during the succession journey. It’s a taonga you can share with whānau to help them on their journey to land ownership when the time comes.