1 What this means
When a block has hundreds or thousands of owners, it isn’t practical for everyone to take part in every decision. An Ahu Whenua Trust, set up by a trust order of the Māori Land Court, gives trustees responsibility to govern and administer the land for the owners.
Trustees do not personally own the trust’s assets. They must act honestly and responsibly, follow the trust order and Te Ture Whenua Māori Act, and act in the owners’ interests — not their own.
2 What still needs checking
- The trust order — it sets out the trustees’ powers and the trust’s purpose
- Who the current trustees are
- How and when the trust reports to owners (annual meetings, accounts)
3 What you can do next
Forms & templates for this
- Form 37 — Constitute an Ahu Whenua TrustSets up (constitutes) an Ahu Whenua Trust so trustees can manage a block for all its owners. Open Form 37 — Constitute an Ahu Whenua Trust Download Form 37 — Constitute an Ahu Whenua Trust
- Template 1 — Trustee ResponsibilitiesAn outline of trustee duties and responsibilities, for trustees and whānau to work from. Download Template 1 — Trustee Responsibilities
- Template 2 — Trustee Fiduciary Decision ChecklistA checklist trustees can use to test a decision against their duties before making it. Download Template 2 — Trustee Fiduciary Decision Checklist
Check the latest version on the Māori Land Court website before filing. Templates are starting points, not official Court forms.
Official sources
Last reviewed 13 November 2026. General guidance only — not legal, financial or building advice. Court, lending and building decisions remain with the relevant decision makers.
