Rotorua lawyer to be new Maori Land Court judge

Miharo Armstrong has been temporarily appointed a Maori Land Court judge.

A Rotorua lawyer has been appointed as a temporary judge of the Maori Land Court.

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples announced yesterday that Miharo Armstrong would be a judge for the Maori Land Court for a year.

Mr Armstrong is a partner in Rotorua law firm Aurere Law.

"Miharo Armstrong has extensive experience in the Maori Land Court as well as considerable understanding of the operations of the Waitangi Tribunal," Dr Sharples said.

"Mr Armstrong has a sound understanding of tikanga Maori, and of the issues facing Maori land owners and their communities"

He will start his role on August 1.

A temporary appointment is needed to help with the workload of the Maori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal following the retirement of Judge [Andrew] Spencer last year. Maori Land Court judges also act as presiding officers in the tribunal.