The question is whether the mediation process will allow for mediators to have these agreements signed by the parties, to provide extra protections to them above those provided under the Act. That will of course depend on how the mediator appointments are managed.
I am the 114th Judge of the Maori Land Court. But, of course, I am not the first graduate from this university to be appointed to the Maori Land Court bench.
The question is
whether the mediation process will allow for mediators to have these agreements signed by
the parties, to provide extra protections to them above those provided under the Act. That
will of course depend on how the mediator appointments are managed.
I also just want to acknowledge the very tragic and sudden loss of Rawiri Rangitauira earlier this week. Of course, Rawiri was the founding partner of our firm, Rangitauira & Co, it was he and Annette Sykes who first employed me as a solicitor when I returned from London, and he was very much a mentor and a leader for me during my early years in practice.
Huge amounts of time and money were expended but then it was discovered that no farms could be created. This is of course is all now largely forgotten and the old adage that if we forget history we are doomed to repeat our mistakes, seems particularly apt.
Generally, these interests will be such that
they are unlikely to be affected by a particular piece of litigation and they are commonly
disregarded. The preferable course is for a judge to disclose any such interest to parties
in a proceeding and to seek the views of parties before making any final decision on
recusal.
For example, if there is a nearby water course the Court is likely to require the applicant to make inquiries with the Health Department and the local authority about any issues that such a feature might present in relation to a proposed burial ground.
These experiences can enrich and widen your perspectives, and of course connect you to the global stage. So for anyone who asks me, I say take those opportunities if they present themselves.
