Marking 150 years of land court (+video)

Judges representing the past, present and future of the Maori Land Court in Rotorua have taken part in a very special hearing.

More than 50 people gathered at the Maori Land Court yesterday for a special sitting convened especially to celebrate 150 years of the court's existence.

The court's case manager, Jacqui Willis, said the registrars made a formal application to the court to hold the hearing

Deputy registrar Martin Wepa was also involved in that process.

"It's very humbling to be part of an institute such as this," Mr Wepa said.

He said they wanted to hold the event so the 150 year anniversary would be formally recorded in the record books for others to learn about in the future.

The Maori Land Court special sitting yesterday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Judge Heta Kenneth Hingston was there to represent the past as he presided over the Waiariki court 31 years ago. He handed on the honour to Judge Patrick J Savage 21 years ago who, yesterday, handed it over to Judge Craig T Coxhead.

Judge Coxhead thanked Judge Savage for passing the honour to him.

"We are here to remember and commemorate 150 years of this court ... This is not only a court of law but also a court of service, it's a people's court that our people feel they own," Judge Coxhead said.

He told those gathered that the original purpose of the Maori Land Court was not to fight for one side or the other, but "to find social solutions".

After the hearing there were historical displays including old minute books from the court, as guests enjoyed refreshments. The Maori Land Court is a specialist court that hears matters relating to Maori land. It was established in 1865 as the Native Land Court of New Zealand under the Native Lands Act. The first hearing in the Waiariki district was held in 1867.

- For more information see: http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/maori-land-court.