It is a guide to Māori land law and Māori Land Court cases
The Māori Land Court has released the Māori Land Court Bench Book | Te Puna Manawa Whenua, to the public.
The book was written by Māori Land Court judges as a reference for judges on the court's bench. It serves as a guide to Māori land law and Māori Land Court cases.
According to the Māori Land Court, Te Puna Manawa Whenua trasnlates to "the spring from deep underground," reflecting how the law has been pooled in the bench book to support the land and court attendees. A judicial editing komiti of Māori Land Court judges supervises the writing of the book with help from legal research counsel in the court.
The book is amended four times a year, enabling Māori Land Court judges to remain updated on court decisions and judgments related to how various sections of the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act is applied.
The Māori Land Court described the book as a "quick reference" resource that is not intended to act as a definitive statement of law. The bench book can be accessed via the Courts of NZ website.
