Christopher Finlayson
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Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson leaves for France tomorrow to represent New Zealand at commemorations for the centenary of the Battle of Arras.

“Members of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company and the Māori Pioneer Battalion played an important role in Arras during the First World War,” Mr Finlayson said. “Over four and a half months they created almost 10 kilometres of underground passages which were capable of sheltering over 12,000 people.”

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Dunedin lawyer David Robinson has been appointed a coroner, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. He replaces Brigitte Windley who was appointed a coroner in 2015 and now returns to Wellington.

Mr Robinson is currently a partner of the Dunedin law firm Gallaway Cook Allan. He has worked primarily in the area of civil litigation, including acting in substantial trust disputes, commercial litigation, construction law matters and maritime disputes. He also spent a number of years acting as a Crown prosecutor, conducting jury trials and appeals to the High Court.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Honourable Justice Denis Clifford has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Clifford graduated LLB (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1978. He joined the Wellington law firm Buddle Anderson Kent & Co, leaving in 1980 to take up a position as Visiting Fellow at the University of Illinois Law School.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Ngāti Rangi to settle its historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ngāti Rangi has an area of interest centred around the upper Whangaehu River catchment, on the southern flank of Mount Ruapehu, including the settlements of Ohakune and Waiouru.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The House of Representatives has passed Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Bill through its third reading today.

“Whanganui Iwi has fought for recognition of its relationship with the Whanganui River since the 1870’s,” Mr Finlayson said. “Today brings the longest running litigation in New Zealand’s history to an end.”

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill through its first reading. The Bill has been referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.

“Today’s first reading is an important step towards full and final settlement of the historical claims of the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa,” Mr Finlayson said.

When enacted, this Bill will give effect to the Deed of Settlement signed by the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa and the Crown in November 2016.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Two Acting District Court Judges have been appointed, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Rotorua.

Mr Hollister-Jones has been the Tauranga Crown Solicitor since 1998. In that time he has prosecuted criminal trials, appeals in the High Court and proceeds of crime appeals in the Court of Appeal. He was a barrister in Tauranga from 1992 to 1997 and a Crown prosecutor with Meredith Connell in Auckland from 1987 to 1992.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson travels to Singapore and Malaysia tomorrow for a series of ministerial meetings about countering terrorism and senior law officer matters.

“International cooperation on countering terrorism and other issues affecting our national security is crucial in the current global environment,” Mr Finlayson said. “We value our engagement with countries in the South East Asia region on these matters.”

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Attorney-General announced today that an appointment round for Queen’s Counsel will take place in 2017. 

Appointments of Queen’s Counsel are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General and with the concurrence of the Chief Justice. The Governor-General retains the discretion to appoint Queen’s Counsel in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the law in fields other than advocacy.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Legislation to modernise and bring together important law underpinning contracts and commercial transactions passed its third reading in Parliament today, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said.

“This has been a major statute revision exercise,” Mr Finlayson said. “The substantive law has not changed but the rules contained in 11 contract and commercial Acts, some dating back to 1908, have been revised and consolidated into a single piece of legislation.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Te Ākitai Waiohua to settle its historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Te Ākitai Waiohua is an iwi with an area of interest centred around South Auckland and customary interests claims across greater Auckland.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Rangitāne o Manawatū Claims Settlement Bill through its third and final reading.

When enacted this bill will give effect to the Deed of Settlement signed by Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Crown on 14 November 2015.

“Rangitāne o Manawatū has waited a long time for this day,” Mr Finlayson said. “Settlement marks a turning point in the iwi’s history and the beginning of a new relationship with the Crown.”

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Auckland Queen’s Counsel Christine Gordon has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Gordon graduated with a BA in History from the University of Otago in 1974 and completed an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1983. She joined Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet & Co in 1984 and worked primarily in the area of resource management law.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bills through their third readings.

“I am pleased this day has finally arrived,” Mr Finlayson said. “It is an historic day and testament to the determination and hard work of Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa settling their historical Treaty claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

"The iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa have waited a long time to reach this day,” Mr Finlayson said. "The Crown can never fully compensate for the wrongs of the past, but this settlement provides the people of Te Wairoa with the foundation for a stronger cultural and economic future.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Wellington barrister Noel Sainsbury has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Sainsbury has practiced in the Wellington region since his admission in 1985. In 1993 he went into sole practice as a barrister and has worked primarily in the area of criminal law. He has extensive litigation experience including appearances before the Supreme Court and Privy Council.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Michele Marina Wilkinson-Smith has been appointed Crown Solicitor for Whanganui, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

She takes over the role from Lance Rowe following his appointment to the District Court Bench in April 2016.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ahuriri Hapū settling their historical Treaty claims, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Ahuriri Hapū have overcome considerable obstacles to reach this milestone,” Mr Finlayson said. “Historical grievances against the Crown relate to land loss, military actions and adverse Crown polices. Crown actions and omissions left Ahuriri Hapū virtually landless by the beginning of the 20th century.”

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā (Wairarapa Tamaki nui-ā-Rua) Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson has announced. The Bill has been referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.

“Today is a significant milestone for Rangitāne and I acknowledge all those who have worked on this settlement over many years,” Mr Finlayson said.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson say appalling behaviour by New Zealand First will unfortunately delay the passing of five Treaty of Waitangi settlement bills this week.

“We are deeply disappointed for iwi members from Taranaki, Manawatu and the Far North,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Thanks to the constructive work and initial unanimous support of the Business Committee, and after much planning, Friday was to be an historic day of Treaty settlements.

Christopher Finlayson Gerry Brownlee Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Leader of the House
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Retired Court of Appeal judge, the Honourable Lyn Stevens QC, will chair an independent inquiry into the Havelock North water supply contamination incident, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Stevens will be joined on the panel by NZQA CEO and former Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi CNZM, and local government and engineering expert, Anthony Wilson.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Attorney General Christopher Finlayson has today released the draft terms of reference for the Government inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination issue.
“It is important that New Zealanders have confidence in the quality of our drinking water, and the independent inquiry will ensure we have a clear understanding of what happened in Havelock North,” says Mr Finlayson.

“Cabinet has today agreed to initiate a Government inquiry which will report to me as Attorney General.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Manukau barrister and solicitor Soana Moala has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ms Moala was admitted to the bar in 2002 and was a Crown prosecutor at Meredith Connell from that year until 2012. During that time she prosecuted a significant number of criminal trials in both the District Court and High Court, including serious violence, sexual abuse and drug crime trials.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General