He is the first Maori to be appointed to our highest court. His appointment is one of the most significant events in my time in the law and we are all very proud of his achievements.
I am very pleased to announce the Hon Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development, has confirmed the appointment of a Deputy Chief Judge and the appointment of a new Judge to our Court.
1 An index of past and present judicial officers of the Māori Land Court and Native Land Court 1 May 2018 Judicial officers of the Native Land Court from 1864 to 1947 Judge Date appointed John Rogan 25 June 1864 (President) 9 January 1865 (Judge) Wiremu Tipene 25 June 1864 Matikikuha 25 June 1864 Te Keene of Orakei 25 June 1864 Tamati Reweti 25 June 1864 George Clarke 25 October 1864 (President) 9 January 1865 (Judge) Hone Mohi Tawhai 25 October 1...
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/MLC-2018-05-01-FS-Past-and-present-judges.pdf (356 kb)
Chief Judge Fox was appointed as Māori Land Court Judge in 2000, and as Deputy Chief Judge in 2010.
Documents/Articles/23-07-20-Media-Statement-Chief-Maori-Land-Court-Judge-appointment.pdf (400 kb)
Chief Judge Fox was appointed as a Māori Land Court judge on 1 October 2000, and shortly thereafter was appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Waitangi Tribunal’s Central North Island district inquiry in 2001.
For general enquiries, you don't need an appointment. You are welcome to turn up between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
There is a close correlation between the small number of Māori women who become partners in law firms and senior counsel, and the pool of those considered eligible for appointment to the bench. While judges have been chosen from other areas of the profession, these are the exception rather than the rule.
The parties involved in the dispute will need to agree on the mediator to be used, or one can be appointed for you. You can apply for the dispute resolution service through one of our offices.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Dispute-resolution-service-web-version.pdf (132 kb)
The Minister of Māori Development, Willie Jackson, confirmed Judge Thomas' appointment on 22 March 2023.
They stepped into the acting leadership of the Court and Tribunal from 1 May 2023 and will do so until a new Chief Judge is sworn in and a new Chairperson appointed. The Minister of Māori Development has sought expressions of interest for the next Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court, and will in due course announce the appointment of the next Chief Judge and Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal.
