Guidelines for Land Court on Maori custom

The annual general meeting of the House of Ariki for 2009 held from 2-4 December 2009 has yielded some intriguing recommendations. They have officially requested the Minister of the Are Ariki, Hon Kete Ioane, to convey to Cabinet their recommendation for Parliament to legislate for legal recognition of a white paper on the guidelines on Maori customs.
The guidelines regarding customs relating in particular to land issues and tribal title issues would be a vital part in our judicial system within the Land Division of the High Court. The white paper on customs on lands and traditional titles of the indigenous people was referred to Parliament followed some time later by a report by the Koutu Nui commenting on the Are Ariki recommendations. However, Parliament did nothing about the matter and the House of Ariki along with the Koutu Nui feel the time is right to provide some guidelines to the Land Court.
The traditional High Chiefs add that much more will need to be added to the recommendations as they do not completely cover every aspect but it is the beginning of a more comprehensive understanding of Maori custom.
The Minister will present the recommendations to Cabinet with the view to ensure that the matters contained in the Koutu Nui report as submitted by the Are Ariki be completed, accepted and approved by year 2010.

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