Seeking to shed light on the nature and status of Maori customary law-a fundamental component of the New Zealand legal system-Te Matapunenga assembles a collection of references to customary Maori legal concepts and institutions from an extensive range of sources. Unlike standard dictionaries, this reference is not confined to words and a technical account of their meaning and derivation. Rather, it sets out the terms and concepts of Maori customary law as they are recorded in traditional Maori accounts and historical records, along with modern interpretations of the terms and concepts, the contexts for their cited uses, etymological information, regional differences, and the manner in which customary concepts have been recognized or modified by the legislative and judicial branches of the New Zealand government since 1840.

It also provides a context for each recorded use, making Maori language and concepts accessible to scholars, officials, and the general public alike. This book provides an authoritative point of reference for those wishing to engage in the on-going public discourse on the future shape of the legal system in New Zealand.