New District Court Judge Ian Carter welcomed to Whanganui

Kahurangi Simon (right) welcomes Judge Ian Carter (third from right) to Whanganui. Photo / Bevan Conley

Judge Ian Carter was welcomed to his new role at Whanganui District Court with a mihi whakatau on April 12.

He arrived with his wife, son and friends, called into Courtroom 1 by a karanga. Kahurangi Simon gave the welcome speech on behalf of Whanganui Iwi, with briefer replies from Judge Carter and Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.

The newcomers were then greeted in a hongi/hariru line before taking their seats on the other side of the courtroom.

In his speech, Simon welcomed Judge Carter to the Whanganui River and the river city. He spelled out the values of this place, as represented in the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiation Trust's Agreement in Principle - integrity, authority and sustainability.

"When you pass through our gateway, you accept those values and everything that comes with them," Simon said.

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He went on to talk about the values of Te Awa Tupua, and to say that Whanganui Iwi aspired to doing justice differently.

"We have an aspiration of a new justice hub that we are working through together as two people. The justice system hasn't been kind to our people, but we are pragmatic about finding a better way forward for us all."

Judge Taumaunu spoke of the many connections between Whanganui Iwi and the Ngāti Awa and Ngai Te Rangi iwi in the eastern Bay of Plenty. Judge Carter is descended from them.

He begins work in Whanganui at an exciting time, Taumaunu said. In November last year he announced Te Ao Mārama, which would bring new values and protocols for district courts.

They included more solution-focused judging, plainer language, less formality, more inclusion and more emphasis on the underlying drivers of crime. The aim was to adapt court systems to the needs of a multicultural society, Taumaunu said at the time.

"There are calls for change. The people of this area are positive for the future. That's a very important statement to hear from a local leader of the iwi."

New District Court Judge Ian Carter is flanked by his wife, Jane O'Hallahan, and Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu. Photo / Bevan Conley

Judge Carter's speech was very brief. He gave his pepeha (a statement that links him to his ancestors) and was grateful for the warm and generous welcome. Then he said people would hear quite enough of the sound of his voice in future.

Judge Carter succeeds Judge Philip Crayton in the Whanganui District Court.