Engine of Destruction? An Introduction to the History of the Maori Land Court

Abstract

For 130 years, the Maori Land Court had reflected and shaped policies concerning the ownership and disposal of Maori land. This article surveys the primary and secondary sources of information concerning the Court's operations, noting the abundance of material, but the paucity of analysis. It then moves to the Court's legislative base in the Native Land Acts from 1862 and the principles and methodology by which statute was converted to practice and Maori custom to English law. The costs to Maori of this system, especially those related to surveying, are explored. Finally, the developments and changes in the twentieth century, such as those in Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993, are considered.