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)
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 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.
If you cannot agree, a judge or registrar will appoint one. Me pēhea te tono? | How do I apply?
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Factsheet-Dispute-resolution-service-web-version.pdf (355 kb)
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.
You can also request the appointment of someone who is not on the mediator list to hear your dispute.
These need not be terminated upon appointment to the bench, and subject to actual conflicts of interest arising from knowledge of clients or circumstances, such connections should not generally affect a judge’s impartiality.
Documents/Guides-Templates-Factsheets/Maori-Land-Court-Recusal-Guidelines.pdf (226 kb)
The Minister of Māori Development, Willie Jackson, confirmed Judge Thomas' appointment on 22 March 2023.
