Te Puna Manawa Whenua – the Māori Land Court Bench Book publicly launched
A judicial guide to Te Ture Whenua Māori and Māori Land Court judgments has been published online. The public release of Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book is designed to promote transparency in the justice system, assist Māori landowners and their advisors, and support educational purposes.
A judicial guide to Te Ture Whenua Māori and Māori Land Court judgments has been published online. The public release of Te Puna Manawa Whenua | Māori Land Court Bench Book is designed to promote transparency in the justice system, assist Māori landowners and their advisors, and support educational purposes.
What is Te Puna Manawa Whenua?
All courts have a Bench Book, which are prepared by and for Judges as a repository of information about legislation and important cases relevant to each jurisdiction.
Te Puna Manawa Whenua, the Māori Land Court Bench Book, is a guide to Māori land law and Māori Land Court cases. It is written by and for Māori Land Court judges to ensure they are up to date on decisions of the Court and rulings on the application of different sections of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act.
Until now, Te Puna Manawa Whenua has only been available to Māori Land Court judges and Chambers staff.
Why make the Bench Book publicly available?
While Te Puna Manawa Whenua was written for judges, it is being released publicly with the support of the lead judges of all courts across Aotearoa to promote transparency in the justice system, to assist Māori landowners and their advisors, and for educative purposes.
It is envisioned that Te Puna Manawa Whenua will be used to assist Māori landowners and their advisors and support the development of the whenua and the people who come to Court.
More information and access to Te Puna Manawa Whenua is available through Te Kooti Whenua website:
Te Kooti Whenua news article – public launch of Te Puna Manawa Whenua