Christopher Finlayson
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Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC is in Washington D.C. this week to attend the annual Five Country Ministerial and Attorneys-General Quintet meetings.

The Five Country Ministerial brings together ministers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to discuss a range of national security issues, including counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism and cyber-security.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Two Acting District Court Judges have been appointed, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Wellington barrister and solicitor Tom Gilbert has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Christchurch. Mr Gilbert has been a partner and Senior Crown Counsel with the Wellington Crown Solicitor’s office, Luke Cunningham Clere, since 2006.

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 2016. 

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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Auckland barrister Andrea Manuel has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a Family Court warrant to be based in Auckland, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Ms Manuel’s core area of practice has covered complex trust, estate and relationship property cases. She also has extensive experience in civil litigation, family law and Hague Convention work.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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GCSB Chief Legal Advisor Lisa Fong will become the Acting Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) from 15 February 2016, Minister Responsible for the GCSB Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Ms Fong is a capable leader and I am pleased she has agreed to take on this role,” Mr Finlayson said.  

Ms Fong has held her current role since April 2013. She has also spent time as Acting General Counsel for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Prior to joining the GCSB, Ms Fong spent eight years at Crown Law.

Christopher Finlayson GCSB
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The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ngatikahu ki Whangaroa is a northern iwi of approximately 2,500 people whose area of interest lies between the Whangaroa and Mangonui Harbours in the Far North.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The Crown has signed an agreement in principle with Ngaati Hinerangi to settle its historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ngaati Hinerangi is an iwi from the Tainui waka confederation whose area of interest extends from Matamata to the Western Bay of Plenty and encompasses the Kaimai Range.

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

Richard McIlraith, barrister and solicitor of Auckland, has been appointed an acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau. Mr McIlraith was admitted to the Bar in 1988. He has practised at Russell McVeagh since 1993 and has been a partner at the firm since 1995. He is currently chair of the partnership.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Auckland Queen’s Counsel Paul Davison has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Justice Davison graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1975 and was employed at Auckland firm Glaister Ennor & Kiff. In 1977 Justice Davison joined Keegan Alexander Tedcastle & Friendlander, becoming a partner in 1978. 

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown and Ngāi Tuhoe welcome the launch of Te Urewera’s inaugural Statement of Priorities in Taneatua today.

“This launch is significant as it demonstrates the excellent progress the Te Urewera Board has made since Te Urewera was declared a legal entity last year,” Mr Finlayson says.

The Statement of Priorities invites public feedback on a framework for Te Kawa O Te Urewera, a 10 year management plan which sets out the objectives and policies for Te Urewera. Te Kawa O Te Urewera is due to be finalised in September 2017.

Maggie Barry Christopher Finlayson Conservation Attorney-General
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Kerry Smith, barrister and solicitor of Christchurch, has been appointed an Employment Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Mr Smith is a senior litigation partner with Buddle Findlay in Christchurch having joined the partnership in 1991. He practises primarily in employment law, resource management and civil litigation. He is currently the Deputy Convenor, Canterbury Westland Lawyers Standards Committee No. 1 of the New Zealand Law Society.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC has acknowledged the contribution to the coronial system and Wellington legal community of Coroner Garry Evans, whose final hearing is being held today.

“Since Garry Evans’ appointment as Wellington District Coroner in 1997, New Zealand has benefited from his good judgement, strong work ethic and dedication,” Mr Finlayson said.  

Mr Evans also served as Acting Chief Coroner between September 2009 and November 2009.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Acting Foreign Minister Christopher Finlayson today announced three new appointments to Antarctica New Zealand’s management board.

"Scientist Dr Helen Anderson, Hunter Powell Investments Founder and Director Sharon Hunter, and Kiwibank Chair Rob Morrison are each being appointed to a first term on the board responsible for managing New Zealand’s programme in the Antarctic," Mr Finlayson said.

Christopher Finlayson Foreign Affairs
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Una Jagose has been appointed Solicitor-General, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Ms Jagose was Deputy Solicitor, Crown Legal Risk at Crown Law for two years before becoming Acting Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in February this year.

“I have worked with Ms Jagose over a number of years in her roles at Crown Law and the GCSB,” Mr Finlayson said. “She has very sound legal judgement and has proven herself a capable and effective leader.”

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Brigitte Windley has been appointed a Coroner, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today. Ms Windley will replace retiring Dunedin Coroner David Crerar.

Ms Windley is employed with New Zealand Police as a legal adviser and is currently on secondment to the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence & Security in the role of senior investigator. Earlier in her career she worked for several law firms, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and Disputes Resolution Services Limited.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki at Umupuia Marae, Maraetai in Auckland, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“The deed settles the historical grievances of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and includes an acknowledgement and apology for the acts, omissions and historical breaches of the Treaty committed by the Crown,” Mr Finlayson said.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The Government is seeking submissions on an exposure draft of the Contract and Commercial Law Bill, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Eleven contract and commercial statutes, some dating back to 1908, have been revised and consolidated into a single Bill without changing the substantive effect of the law.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Wellington Queen’s Counsel Matthew Palmer has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

Justice Palmer graduated with an LLB (Hons) (First Class) in 1987. He has degrees in economics and political science from the University of Canterbury and a Masters and Doctorate in Law from Yale Law School.

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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Wellington Queen’s Counsel Karen Clark has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Clark graduated with an LLB from Victoria University in 1986 and joined the Crown Law Office as a Crown Counsel Assistant. She was appointed Crown Counsel in 1988 and spent six years leading the Office’s public commercial team before becoming a Deputy Solicitor-General in 2002.

In 2007 Justice Clark went to the independent bar and was appointed Queen’s Counsel that same year. 

Christopher Finlayson Attorney-General
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The Crown has signed a Deed of Settlement with Heretaunga Tamatea settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The settlement provides acknowledgements, an apology and redress for the Crown’s past actions and omissions, including large scale land purchasing that left Heretaunga Tamatea virtually landless.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has welcomed a leading law firm’s decision to provide a scholarship to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1975 Land March.

Buddle Findlay has agreed to offer a scholarship to one third or fourth year Māori law student to be selected from across New Zealand. In addition to covering tuition fees, as part of the scholarship, Buddle Findlay will offer the student a position in its summer clerk programme.  

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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Four Te Hiku iwi will have their Treaty settlements enacted into law following the successful third reading of the Te Hiku Claims Settlement Bill, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, NgāiTakoto and Te Rarawa will now have their full and final settlements with the Crown enshrined in law,” Mr Finlayson said. “Each settlement acknowledges, apologises for and makes significant redress toward righting wrongs of the past.”

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
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The Te Kawerau ā Maki Claims Settlement Bill passed its third and final reading today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

When enacted, the bill will give effect to the deed of settlement which Te Kawerau ā Maki and the Crown signed on 22 February 2014.

Christopher Finlayson Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations