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

Te Ākitai Waiohua is an iwi with an area of interest centred around South Auckland and customary interests claims across greater Auckland.

The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Rangitāne o Manawatū Claims Settlement Bill through its third and final reading.

When enacted this bill will give effect to the Deed of Settlement signed by Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Crown on 14 November 2015.

“Rangitāne o Manawatū has waited a long time for this day,” Mr Finlayson said. “Settlement marks a turning point in the iwi’s history and the beginning of a new relationship with the Crown.”

Auckland Queen’s Counsel Christine Gordon has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Gordon graduated with a BA in History from the University of Otago in 1974 and completed an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1983. She joined Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet & Co in 1984 and worked primarily in the area of resource management law.

The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bills through their third readings.

“I am pleased this day has finally arrived,” Mr Finlayson said. “It is an historic day and testament to the determination and hard work of Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi.

The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa settling their historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

"The iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa have waited a long time to reach this day,” Mr Finlayson said. "The Crown can never fully compensate for the wrongs of the past, but this settlement provides the people of Te Wairoa with the foundation for a stronger cultural and economic future.

Wellington barrister Noel Sainsbury has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Sainsbury has practiced in the Wellington region since his admission in 1985. In 1993 he went into sole practice as a barrister and has worked primarily in the area of criminal law. He has extensive litigation experience including appearances before the Supreme Court and Privy Council.

Michele Marina Wilkinson-Smith has been appointed Crown Solicitor for Whanganui, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

She takes over the role from Lance Rowe following his appointment to the District Court Bench in April 2016.

The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ahuriri Hapū settling their historical Treaty claims, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Ahuriri Hapū have overcome considerable obstacles to reach this milestone,” Mr Finlayson said. “Historical grievances against the Crown relate to land loss, military actions and adverse Crown polices. Crown actions and omissions left Ahuriri Hapū virtually landless by the beginning of the 20th century.”

The Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā (Wairarapa Tamaki nui-ā-Rua) Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson has announced. The Bill has been referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.

“Today is a significant milestone for Rangitāne and I acknowledge all those who have worked on this settlement over many years,” Mr Finlayson said.

Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson say appalling behaviour by New Zealand First will unfortunately delay the passing of five Treaty of Waitangi settlement bills this week.

“We are deeply disappointed for iwi members from Taranaki, Manawatu and the Far North,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Thanks to the constructive work and initial unanimous support of the Business Committee, and after much planning, Friday was to be an historic day of Treaty settlements.

Retired Court of Appeal judge, the Honourable Lyn Stevens QC, will chair an independent inquiry into the Havelock North water supply contamination incident, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Stevens will be joined on the panel by NZQA CEO and former Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi CNZM, and local government and engineering expert, Anthony Wilson.

Attorney General Christopher Finlayson has today released the draft terms of reference for the Government inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination issue.
“It is important that New Zealanders have confidence in the quality of our drinking water, and the independent inquiry will ensure we have a clear understanding of what happened in Havelock North,” says Mr Finlayson.

“Cabinet has today agreed to initiate a Government inquiry which will report to me as Attorney General.

Manukau barrister and solicitor Soana Moala has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ms Moala was admitted to the bar in 2002 and was a Crown prosecutor at Meredith Connell from that year until 2012. During that time she prosecuted a significant number of criminal trials in both the District Court and High Court, including serious violence, sexual abuse and drug crime trials.

Auckland lawyers Mathew Downs and Sally Fitzgerald have been appointed Judges of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. Both new Judges will sit in Auckland.

Justice Downs graduated with an LLB(Hons) from Otago University in 1993, an LLM(Hons) from Cambridge University in 2001 and a Doctorate in Law from Otago University in 2011.

The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua (Rangitāne) settling the iwi’s historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Rangitāne has been working towards settlement with the Crown for almost 30 years,” Mr Finlayson said. “Today marks the beginning of a new relationship between Rangitāne and the Crown.

Two Acting District Court Judges have been appointed, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. Both will hold Family Court warrants.

Rangiora barrister and solicitor John Brandts-Giesen has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge in Invercargill.

Mr Brandts-Giesen commenced practice as a staff solicitor for Raymond Donnelly in 1976. In 1980 he became a partner in the firm now known as Lane Neave before joining the partnership Brandts-Giesen McCormick Lawyers in 1994.

Wellington District Court Judge John Walker has been appointed Principal Youth Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

His appointment follows former Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft’s appointment as Children’s Commissioner.

Judge Walker was admitted to the bar in 1975. He practised with Macalister Mazengarb and as a barrister in Wellington before his appointment to the Bench in 1994. 

The Honourable Justice Dame Ellen France has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court and the Honourable Justice Stephen Kós will replace her as President of the Court of Appeal, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Honourable Justice Raynor Asher and the Honourable Justice Brendan Brown have been appointed Judges of the Court of Appeal.

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

Justice Cull graduated with a LLB(Hons) in 1978 from Victoria University of Wellington and began her legal career at Brandons. In 1983 she joined the partnership of Tripe Matthews and Feist, leaving in 1990 to join the independent bar. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1997.

The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Hineuru Claims Settlement Bill through its third reading.

“The Hineuru Claims Settlement Act will give effect to the full and final settlement of Hineuru’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims,” Mr Finlayson said.

“The Hineuru settlement includes financial and commercial redress of $25 million, a $2 million fund for cultural development and the return of a number of sites of cultural significance to the iwi.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today set out the reasons for the Crown’s decision to accept the manslaughter pleas of Tania Shailer and David Haerewa in substitution of murder charges for the killing of Moko Rangitoheriri.

Ms Shailer and Mr Haerewa were today both sentenced to 17 years in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of nine years. Until that sentencing took place, the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General were unable to comment on the specifics of the case, as the sentencing was a matter for the courts.

Twelve lawyers have been appointed Queen’s Counsel this year, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

They are:

• Derek Nolan, Aaron Perkins, Kieran Raftery, David Bigio, Jane Anderson, Marc Corlett, Vanessa Bruton
• Richard Raymond
• John Prebble, Kenneth Johnston, Victoria Casey, Una Jagose.

“The appointment to the rank of Queen’s Counsel recognises individuals who have excelled at the highest level of law,” Mr Finlayson said.

Budget 2016 provides $19.7 million of new operating funding for Crown prosecutions over the next four years.

“This investment will ensure serious offenders continue to be held to account through New Zealand’s high-quality Crown prosecution services,” Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC says.

Crown prosecutions are managed by Crown Law through a network of 17 Crown Solicitors who are responsible for the conduct of prosecutions on behalf of the Crown. Each Crown Solicitor is a partner in a private law firm.

The Budget will enable our security agencies to remain effective in a rapidly-evolving security environment, NZSIS and GCSB Minister Christopher Finlayson says.

The New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC) will receive new operating and capital funding of $178.7 million over four years as part of Budget 2016.

“A fundamental responsibility of the Government is to protect the safety of New Zealanders,” Mr Finlayson says.