Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announces three new appointments to Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has announced the appointment of three new members of Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission.
The new appointees are: Hon Justice Christian Whata, appointed for a term of one year; beginning October 12, 2021; Geof Shirtcliffe, appointed for five years; beginning on September 6, 2021; and Professor Claudia Geiringer, who will take up her appointment on May 2, 2022.
Justice Whata will lead Te Aka Matua o te Ture’s work in relation to tikanga Māori, with a particular focus on the relationship between tikanga Māori and State law.
Te Aka Matua o te Ture president Amokura Kawharu, said this was an important and timely project for the commission. Tikanga Māori has been steadily gaining recognition in the courts and in statutes. Te Kōti Mana Nui has affirmed that tikanga Māori is among the values of the common law and is perhaps determinative when dealing with matters affecting Māori rights and interests.
On completion of his appointment, Justice Whata will return to the High Court bench.
Justice Whata is from Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Tamateatūtahi – Kawiti of Te Arawa. He was appointed a High Court judge in 2011. He was based in Christchurch from 2012-2015, with circuit work throughout the South Island. From 2016 he has been based in Auckland, with circuit work including Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton and Whangarei. He has adjudicated on a wide range of subject matters, including major common law, commercial, public, environmental, Māori and criminal matters.
Geof Shirtcliffe, previously a corporate partner at the law firm Chapman Tripp specialising in the fields of company and commercial law, will start his work with the commission leading a project on adult decision-making capacity, Ngā Huarahi Whakatau.
Professor Geiringer is the chair in Public Law at Victoria University and an expert in human rights, and constitutional and administrative law. She will take up her appointment in May 2022.
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