Bill would stop judges sitting on Waitangi Tribunal

A member's bill introduced to Parliament today would prevent serving judges being able to also serve as members of the Waitangi Tribunal.

New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone said his Treaty of Waitangi (Removal of Conflict of Interest) Amendment Bill would remove "any cause for inference or bias" from the system as it stands.

Under the current system High Court and Maori Land Court Judges are able to serve on the Waitangi Tribunal.

Mr Paraone said that gave rise to an "inherent conflict of interest".

However, his bill would not stop retired judges as serving as members of the tribunal.

- NZPA