“Māori land” is defined by Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. The definition in the Act is used by the Māori Land Court whenever it is required to determine the status of Māori land. The status may be one of the following:

Māori freehold land

“Māori freehold land” is land which, with very few exceptions, has not been out of Māori ownership. The Māori Land Court determines whether land is Māori freehold land.

Māori customary land

“Māori customary land” is land held by Māori in accordance with tikanga Māori. It has not been transferred into freehold title by the Māori Land Court, nor ceded to the Crown.

Before 1840, all land was Māori customary land. Today the exact amount is unknown but is believed to be extremely small.

General land owned by Māori

“General land owned by Māori” is general land:

• Owned by five or more people, and
• Where the majority of the owners are Māori.

Last modified: 21/11/2007