How do I succeed to my whānau's Māori land shares?

General information from Lawmateanz

When a shareholder in Māori freehold land dies, their shares don't pass automatically. In New Zealand, an application usually needs to be made to the Māori Land Court for succession.

The rules are set out in Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. Generally, shares pass to the person's children or other whānau entitled under the Act or the will, and a will can only leave Māori land shares to certain people.

Whānau sometimes put shares into a whānau trust so they're managed together rather than divided further.

The Māori Land Court has free information and staff who can help with applications, and lawyers who specialise in Māori land can advise.

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