1 What this means
Unlike ordinary property, Māori land interests do not transfer automatically when an owner dies. Someone — usually a whānau member — applies to the Māori Land Court, which identifies the successors and makes an order transferring the interests.
Succession generally follows whakapapa, and the Court also considers any valid will within the rules of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. The aim is to keep the land within the whānau.
2 What still needs checking
- Whether there is a grant of administration (probate or letters of administration) — this decides which form to use
- The death certificate
- Information showing whakapapa to the deceased owner
- Which blocks and interests the deceased held
- Whether whānau want the interests held in a whānau trust instead of divided
3 What you can do next
Why succession matters
Without succession, ownership records go out of date. That makes it harder for owners to take part in decisions, vote, receive information or be contacted — and some blocks have interests that have not been updated for decades.
Forms & templates for this
- Form 21 — Succession with a grant of administrationSuccession where there is a grant of administration (probate or letters of administration). Open Form 21 — Succession with a grant of administration Download Form 21 — Succession with a grant of administration
- Form 22 — Succession without a grant of administrationSuccession where there is no grant of administration — common when the estate has not been through probate. Open Form 22 — Succession without a grant of administration Download Form 22 — Succession without a grant of administration
- Form 20 — Certificate by administratorA certificate from the administrator (executor) of a deceased estate, used in succession where there is a grant of administration. Open Form 20 — Certificate by administrator Download Form 20 — Certificate by administrator
- Form 23 — Whānau trust alongside successionSets up a whānau trust over the interests being succeeded to, instead of dividing them among successors. Open Form 23 — Whānau trust alongside succession Download Form 23 — Whānau trust alongside succession
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.
