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Seven new members have been appointed to the New Zealand Parole Board, along with the re-appointment of chairperson Judge Sir David Carruthers and 14 current members, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson announced today.

The new appointees include District Court Judges Louis Bidois, David Holderness and Anne Kiernan, who will act as panel convenors of Parole Board hearings. The other new members are Michael Christensen, Stephen Paul, Alick Shaw and Kathryn Snook.

New Zealand will be the Guest of Honour at the prestigious 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, Arts Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s most prestigious and well attended international publishing event,” Mr Finlayson said. “As the Guest of Honour, New Zealand will significantly raise its profile not only in Germany, but also with over 110 exhibiting countries and the hundreds of thousands of visitors attending the fair.”

The government is committed to reaching just and durable settlements for historical wrongs with the five iwi of the far North, Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said today.

However, he said the government’s policy remains reaching just and durable comprehensive settlements – not partial settlements that allow grievances to linger.

The Crown today signed a Deed of Settlement for all historical Treaty claims with Ngāti Manuhiri, Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

The deed was signed at a ceremony at Omaha Marae in Pakiri, Leigh.

The claims of Ngāti Manuhiri relate to the loss of land and the actions of the Crown, covering the eastern coastline from Whangaparoa/Orewa to Mangawhai, including Hauturu/Little Barrier Island. Ngāti Manuhiri has around 1200 members.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today announced the appointments of David Ruth, of Christchurch, and Barney Thomas, currently residing in the Netherlands, as District Court Judges.

Three bills, which will give effect to just and durable historical Treaty settlements for Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Pāhauwera and Ngati Maniapoto’s interests in the Waipa River, passed their first reading in the House of Representatives today. 

Parliament debated the Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Bill, Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill and Ngāti Pāhauwera Treaty Claims Settlement Bill.

Three new lay members of the High Court have been appointed under the Commerce Act, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. 

Lay members assist the Court in cases involving appeals from decisions of the Commerce Commission and in other matters under the Commerce Act, and must have specialist knowledge or experience in industry, commerce, economics, law, or accountancy.

The new lay members are

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today welcomed the beginning of the 11th New Zealand Music Month, saying it was a great way to sample from the full range of local music offerings with events nationwide.

“New Zealand musicians are consistently recognised on the international stage,” Mr Finlayson said, “from contemporary acts at the annual SXSW music fair in Austin, Texas to the NZSO performing in Vienna.”

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today marked the completion of the first phase of development on the new National War Memorial Park in Wellington, meaning the new public space will be available for use during Monday’s ANZAC Day ceremony.

Developed during the past 18 months, phase one of the the park sits across the road from the National War Memorial on Buckle St. The former commercial area has been transformed into a dedicated public space to remember and think of those affected by war.

The Government is to undertake a review of New Zealand’s public prosecution services, the Attorney-General, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Police announced today.

“The review will be comprehensive, examining the organisational structures, governance, and accountability of agencies within the prosecution system, as well as their roles, functions, and processes,” said Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson, who is lead minister for the review.

A new Government initiative will give young people the chance to participate in orchestral music, Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.

Mr Finlayson today launched Sistema Aotearoa, a New Zealand version of the successful El Sistema programme which has helped young people around the world to participate in orchestral music and develop important skills.

The pilot programme, based in Otara, will be managed by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The APO has developed a programme of instruction and teaching after school and during the holidays.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson confirmed today the Government will recommend Sir Ron Carter and Associate Professor Richard Fenwick as commissioners for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes.

When those appointments are signed off by the Governor-General, they will join chair Justice Mark Cooper on the Royal Commission.

The two have considerable experience in analysis, problem solving and the engineering sector.

Wellingtonian David Cameron has been appointed a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Cameron was admitted to the bar in 1976. He recently returned to New Zealand after four years in the Solomon Islands where was a High Court Judge presiding over criminal and civil trials. He participated in the Judicial Orientation Programme in New Zealand in 2006 and Australia in 2009. From September 1999 he was a sole practitioner.

The Crown and Ngāti Mākino have signed a Deed of Settlement to settle Ngāti Mākino’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Deed of Settlement sets out commercial redress worth $11.9 million and includes the return of culturally significant sites, marae restoration and revitalisation, and social service development.

Ngāti Mākino was represented at today’s signing by the Ngāti Mākino Iwi Authority and the Crown was represented by Mr Finlayson.

The third and final reading of this bill marks the completion of more than two years of consultation and policy development on a matter that has vexed us as a nation for almost a decade.

Today this House repeals the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. It replaces that act with new legislation which recognizes and protects the interests and rights of all New Zealanders to the common marine and coastal area.

It ensures the right of public access, without charge, to the common marine and coastal area.

The House this afternoon passed the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill, which repeals and replaces the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. The Bill restores access to the courts to seek recognition of customary title, and guarantees the rights of all New Zealanders in the common marine and coastal area. 

“The third and final reading of this bill marks the completion of more than two years of consultation and policy development on a matter that has vexed us as a nation for almost a decade,” Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said.

Wellington barrister John Stephen Kós QC has been appointed a Judge of the High Court from 18 April 2011, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill has passed its second reading in the House.

The Bill will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. It restores the right of Maori to seek customary title through the Courts, while guaranteeing the rights of all New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area.

“Debate on this Bill has confirmed that the status quo of the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 is not an option,” Mr Finlayson said. “Every party which spoke in Parliament acknowledges that law has failed, and has to be changed.”

Christopher Holden Toogood QC has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Associate Judge John Faire has been appointed a temporary Judge of the High Court commencing on 28 February 2011 until 3 June 2011, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

He was first appointed a Master of the High Court (as they were then known) in 1996, and will sit in Auckland.
 

John Billington QC has been appointed a Judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Billington joined the New Zealand Army in 1969 as Second Lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Artillery 16th Field Regiment. He later graduated from Victoria University with a LLB, joined the independent bar in 1989 and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1996. He has extensive experience in the criminal law and his principal areas of practice include administrative law, corporate and commercial, defamation and serious fraud.

Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today paid tribute to the life and career of Dame Judith Binney, who passed away last night.

“Dame Judith was a leader in a number of fields,” Mr Finlayson said. “She had been a valued member of the Arts Council and the Historic Places Trust, a pioneer in New Zealand history, and a widely respected teacher and scholar. Dame Judith did an enormous amount to further New Zealanders’ understanding of our own history.”

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson welcomed today's report of the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill and announced the Government would be strengthening the Bill’s process for recognising customary marine title by providing Parliamentary scrutiny.