1 What this means
Returning home often means building on land owned by many people. Before plans or builders, the key questions are who decides, what arrangement gives you the right to occupy a site, and whether the site can be serviced and consented.
2 What still needs checking
- Which block, who the owners are, and who has authority to decide
- Existing leases, occupation orders or other arrangements on the block
- Your pathway: a Licence to Occupy (agreement) or an occupation order (Court)
- Council rules, access and services for the house site
3 What you can do next
Find your block and its ownership, then talk with the trustees or owners about a proposed house site. Work through stage 1 of Build readiness as you go.
Forms & templates for this
- Form 40 — Application for an occupation orderApplies for an occupation order over a defined part of a block — often a house site. Open Form 40 — Application for an occupation order Download Form 40 — Application for an occupation order
- Template 4 — Licence to Occupy (version A)A starting template for a Licence to Occupy agreement (version A). Download Template 4 — Licence to Occupy (version A)
- Template 5 — Defined Occupation AreaDescribes and records the exact area someone will occupy, ideally with a plan. Download Template 5 — Defined Occupation Area
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.
