Dame Tariana Turia, DNZM and Turama Hawira have been appointed to the office of Te Pou Tupua which was established under the Whanganui River Treaty settlement to act as the human face of Te Awa Tupua, Treaty of Waitan
The Crown has signed agreements in principle to settle the historical Treaty grievances of Whakatōhea and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.
The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Ngāti Hei settling the iwi’s historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.
The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa Claims Settlement Bill through its third reading.
The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Hokotehi Moriori Trust to settle the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Moriori, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced to
The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Maniapoto to settle its historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.
The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā (Wairarapa Tamaki nui-ā-Rua) Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngāti Pūkenga Claims Settlement Bill through their third readings.
“The passing of this legislation enables the people of Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua and Ngāti Pūkenga to enjoy the benefits of settlement and look forward to a stronger future,” Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said.
Wellington barrister and solicitor Joanna Holden has been appointed an Employment Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Ms Holden is currently team manager of a public law team at the Crown Law Office and works in the areas of employment law, health and safety law, public law and judicial review.
Tauranga lawyer Anna Pollett has been appointed Crown Solicitor for Tauranga, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
She takes over the role from Greg Hollister-Jones following his appointment to the District Court Bench in March 2017.
Ms Pollett graduated from Victoria University with an LLB in 2002 and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court in 2003. She is an experienced criminal lawyer who has served 14 years as a Crown prosecutor and appeared for the Crown in a wide variety of criminal matters.
Wellington public servant and barrister and solicitor Gerardus van Bohemen has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Justice van Bohemen graduated from Victoria University with a BA (English) in 1977 and an LLB (Hons) 1st Class in 1979. Between 1978 and 1982 he worked for the Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before spending four years at the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
Wellington barrister Pheroze Jagose has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Justice Jagose graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1987 and commenced employment as a legal officer with the Northern Government Officers’ Union in Auckland. In 1989 he graduated with an MA in International Relations from Lancaster University and began working as a legal officer with the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association.
The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ngāti Tūwharetoa at Waitetoko Marae, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.
“Past actions and omissions by the Crown debilitated the social, economic and cultural structures of Ngāti Tūwharetoa,” Mr Finlayson said. “Today marks the beginning of a new relationship between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the Crown.”
The settlement provides Crown acknowledgements, an apology and redress for the Crown’s historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Ngāti Tamaoho Claims Settlement Bill through its first reading. The Bill has been referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.
“Today is a significant milestone for Ngāti Tamaoho and I acknowledge all those who have worked on this settlement over many years,” Mr Finlayson said.
“This Bill acknowledges the past wrongs of the Crown and provides important redress which recognises the spiritual connection between the iwi and their environment.”
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse were in Ottawa, Canada this week to attend the annual Five Country Ministerial.
The Five Country Ministerial brings together Interior Ministers, Immigration Ministers and Attorneys General from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to discuss a range of common national security issues and identify areas for collaboration. This year topics included counter-terrorism, cyber-security and border security.
A bill to improve public access to the law has been introduced to Parliament, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
“This Government is committed to producing an accessible, clear and up-to-date statute book,” Mr Finlayson said. “The Legislation Bill will make it easier to find and access secondary legislation by requiring it to be published on the New Zealand Legislation website alongside Acts of Parliament.”
Wellington Queen’s Counsel Peter Churchman has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Justice Churchman graduated with an LLB (Hons) from the University of Otago in 1979 and joined French Sons Burt & Co in Invercargill. Between 1982 and 1983 Justice Churchman was a solicitor in Dunedin at John Farry and Gowing. He then joined Caudwells (now Anderson Lloyd), becoming a litigation partner at that firm in 1984. In 1990 he was appointed a member of the Crown Panel.
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today announced six re‑appointments and one new appointment as lay members of the High Court under the Commerce Act 1986.
Lay members assist the Court in cases involving appeals from decisions of the Commerce Commission and in other matters under the Commerce Act. They must have specialist knowledge or experience in industry, commerce, economics, law or accountancy.
The appointees are:
The Crown has signed a Deed of Reconciliation with the Parihaka community in a ceremony held at Parihaka, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
“In the second half of the 19th century, the Crown devastated Parihaka which at the time was the largest community in Taranaki and a centre for peaceful protest.
“It is important the Crown apologise directly to the people of Parihaka for the actions it committed almost 140 years ago so we can begin to look forward to a new era of collaboration.”
The Honourable Justice Murray Ashley Gilbert has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Thirteen lawyers have been appointed Queen’s Counsel this year, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.
They are:
Employment Court Judge Christina Inglis has been appointed Chief Judge of the Employment Court to replace Chief Judge Colgan who will retire in July, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today welcomed the public release of Stage 1 of the Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water. Stage 1 addresses the causes of the water contamination incident and assesses the conduct of those responsible for providing safe drinking water in Havelock North.
The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ngāti Tamaoho at Mangatangi Marae settling its historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.
“Crown actions and omissions left Ngāti Tamaoho virtually landless by 1900 and resulted in socio-economic depravation, the effects of which can still be seen today,” Mr Finlayson said. “Today’s settlement provides an acknowledgement, apology and redress for the Crown’s historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.”
