More Maori Land Court judges promised

The Government plans to change the law to boost the number of judges sitting on the Maori Land Court.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia yesterday told a Maori Council hui in Wellington that he planned to appoint six new judges to the court.

The Herald understands the appointments are still some time away, as while the Cabinet has approved the plan, the legislative changes still need to be made.

The court's bench is capped by statute to eight.

In a submission to the foreshore and seabed select committee last year, the court's judges asked that it be increased by another eight judges.

They said the cases flowing from the foreshore legislation combined with the introduction of the Maori Fisheries Act, which will result in the court mediating coastal boundary disputes, justified the increase.

The judges also criticised a Government plan to appoint temporary judges to hear the foreshore cases.

The submission said it was "fundamental to our system of Government that the judiciary is independent both from the legislature and the executive".

National has said it would change the Foreshore and Seabed Act to prevent the Maori Land Court hearing the claims.