Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister of Māori Affairs
Hon Rick Barker
Minister for Courts

7 September 2007

Embargoed until Friday 6am Media Release

Tairāwhiti Māori Land Court opened

Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and Courts Minister Rick Barker officially opened the newly refurbished Tairāwhiti Māori Land Court at a dawn ceremony today.

“The Māori Land Court plays an important part in facilitating the use of collectively owned Māori land and resources. The records it holds also form an invaluable part of the whakapapa of all Māori," Mr Horomia said.

“Tangata whenua have named the Tairāwhiti Court “Te Whare o Te Rā” (The House of the Sun). This is particularly appropriate given the remarkable artwork designed specifically for the refurbished building by renown local artist Derek Lardelli, which ensures this will be one of the most unique courts in the country.”

"The refurbishment of this court is an example of the commitment the Labour- led government has to improve and support the infrastructure provided for the Māori Land Court. This is the fifth Māori Land Court premises that has been substantially re-furbished in the past three years; the others are Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Hastings," said Rick Barker.

"We have invested in IT infrastructure and access to court records through projects such as the Māori Freehold land registration project and Māori Land Online, and have increased Māori Land Court staffing levels by 25% since 2001.

"It all forms part of the largest ever ongoing investment in Court facilities," said Rick Barker.

ENDS

© Scoop Media