Displaying 1 - 24 of 63 results.

The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa is a northern iwi of approximately 2,500 people whose area of interest lies between the Whangaroa and Mangonui Harbours in the Far North.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Ngaati Hinerangi to settle its historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ngaati Hinerangi is an iwi from the Tainui waka confederation whose area of interest extends from Matamata to the Western Bay of Plenty and encompasses the Kaimai Range.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Two acting District Court Judges have been appointed, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Richard McIlraith, barrister and solicitor of Auckland, has been appointed an acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau. Mr McIlraith was admitted to the Bar in 1988. He has practised at Russell McVeagh since 1993 and has been a partner at the firm since 1995. He is currently chair of the partnership.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Auckland Queen’s Counsel Paul Davison has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Justice Davison graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1975 and was employed at Auckland firm Glaister Ennor & Kiff. In 1977 Justice Davison joined Keegan Alexander Tedcastle & Friendlander, becoming a partner in 1978. 

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The Crown and Ngāi Tuhoe welcome the launch of Te Urewera’s inaugural Statement of Priorities in Taneatua today.

“This launch is significant as it demonstrates the excellent progress the Te Urewera Board has made since Te Urewera was declared a legal entity last year,” Mr Finlayson says.

The Statement of Priorities invites public feedback on a framework for Te Kawa O Te Urewera, a 10 year management plan which sets out the objectives and policies for Te Urewera. Te Kawa O Te Urewera is due to be finalised in September 2017.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Conservation
  • Attorney-General

Kerry Smith, barrister and solicitor of Christchurch, has been appointed an Employment Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Mr Smith is a senior litigation partner with Buddle Findlay in Christchurch having joined the partnership in 1991. He practises primarily in employment law, resource management and civil litigation. He is currently the Deputy Convenor, Canterbury Westland Lawyers Standards Committee No. 1 of the New Zealand Law Society.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC has acknowledged the contribution to the coronial system and Wellington legal community of Coroner Garry Evans, whose final hearing is being held today.

“Since Garry Evans’ appointment as Wellington District Coroner in 1997, New Zealand has benefited from his good judgement, strong work ethic and dedication,” Mr Finlayson said.  

Mr Evans also served as Acting Chief Coroner between September 2009 and November 2009.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Acting Foreign Minister Christopher Finlayson today announced three new appointments to Antarctica New Zealand’s management board.

"Scientist Dr Helen Anderson, Hunter Powell Investments Founder and Director Sharon Hunter, and Kiwibank Chair Rob Morrison are each being appointed to a first term on the board responsible for managing New Zealand’s programme in the Antarctic," Mr Finlayson said.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Foreign Affairs

Una Jagose has been appointed Solicitor-General, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Ms Jagose was Deputy Solicitor, Crown Legal Risk at Crown Law for two years before becoming Acting Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in February this year.

“I have worked with Ms Jagose over a number of years in her roles at Crown Law and the GCSB,” Mr Finlayson said. “She has very sound legal judgement and has proven herself a capable and effective leader.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Brigitte Windley has been appointed a Coroner, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today. Ms Windley will replace retiring Dunedin Coroner David Crerar.

Ms Windley is employed with New Zealand Police as a legal adviser and is currently on secondment to the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence & Security in the role of senior investigator. Earlier in her career she worked for several law firms, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and Disputes Resolution Services Limited.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Rangitāne o Manawatū settling the iwi’s outstanding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki at Umupuia Marae, Maraetai in Auckland, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“The deed settles the historical grievances of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and includes an acknowledgement and apology for the acts, omissions and historical breaches of the Treaty committed by the Crown,” Mr Finlayson said.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Government is seeking submissions on an exposure draft of the Contract and Commercial Law Bill, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Eleven contract and commercial statutes, some dating back to 1908, have been revised and consolidated into a single Bill without changing the substantive effect of the law.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Wellington Queen’s Counsel Matthew Palmer has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Justice Palmer graduated with an LLB (Hons) (First Class) in 1987. He has degrees in economics and political science from the University of Canterbury and a Masters and Doctorate in Law from Yale Law School.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Wellington Queen’s Counsel Karen Clark has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Clark graduated with an LLB from Victoria University in 1986 and joined the Crown Law Office as a Crown Counsel Assistant. She was appointed Crown Counsel in 1988 and spent six years leading the Office’s public commercial team before becoming a Deputy Solicitor-General in 2002.

In 2007 Justice Clark went to the independent bar and was appointed Queen’s Counsel that same year. 

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Heretaunga Tamatea settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The settlement provides acknowledgements, an apology and redress for the Crown’s past actions and omissions, including large scale land purchasing that left Heretaunga Tamatea virtually landless.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has welcomed a leading law firm’s decision to provide a scholarship to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1975 Land March.

Buddle Findlay has agreed to offer a scholarship to one third or fourth year Māori law student to be selected from across New Zealand. In addition to covering tuition fees, as part of the scholarship, Buddle Findlay will offer the student a position in its summer clerk programme.  

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Four Te Hiku iwi will have their Treaty settlements enacted into law following the successful third reading of the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, NgāiTakoto and Te Rarawa will now have their full and final settlements with the Crown enshrined in law,” Mr Finlayson said. “Each settlement acknowledges, apologises for and makes significant redress toward righting wrongs of the past.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Te Kawerau ā Maki Claims Settlement Bill passed its third and final reading today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

When enacted, the bill will give effect to the deed of settlement which Te Kawerau ā Maki and the Crown signed on 22 February 2014.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Taranaki Iwi settling all their outstanding historical Treaty claims at Pukeiti Gardens, Taranaki, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC has thanked Solicitor-General Michael Heron QC for three years of outstanding service to the Crown, following Mr Heron’s decision to step down from the role.

“When Mr Heron was appointed Solicitor-General in 2012, he indicated he would serve at least three years in the role,” Mr Finlayson said. “His family has remained in Auckland and he has decided it is time to return home. He has agreed to stay on until a successor is appointed.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The Honourable Justice Stephen Kós has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Attorney General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Kós graduated LLB (Hons) from Victoria University in 1981 and LLM from Cambridge University in 1985. He became a partner in Perry Wylie Pope & Page in 1985, and in Russell McVeagh in 1988.  He joined the independent bar in 2005 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2007. 

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC today expressed his disappointment at the lack of rigour shown by the Law Society in its recent press release criticising provisions of the Health and Safety Reform Bill.

“Law Society President Chris Moore claimed that Schedule 2A of the Health and Safety Reform Bill would allow a person to be tried of a criminal offence without seeing all the information relied on by the Crown and without the right to be present (or to have their representative present) during all the proceedings. This is wrong,” Mr Finlayson said.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has today responded to Hauraki District Council Mayor John Tregidga’s statements about Hauraki Treaty negotiations.

“The Crown is committed to completing historical Treaty settlement negotiations with the iwi of Hauraki as quickly as possible,” Mr Finlayson said.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations