The Māori Land Court has found that two whanau members (one shareholder and one person connected by whakapapa to the land) must pay some $16,000.00 in legal costs to a Māori Incorporation.

The two whanau members had attempted to build on Māori land administered by the Māori Incorporation without seeking permission from the committee of management. The whanau members also  refused to refrain from undertaking further work when asked to do so by the committee of management.

When considering the issue of costs the Māori Land Court held that the whanau member’s conduct was relevant and determined that they pay 80 per cent of the Māori Incorporation’s total costs.