(AGENPARL) – WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND) mar 21 marzo 2023 E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ng?puhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga.
Ko te Ao M?ori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo M?ori i roto i te Ao Ture.
(To the prized treasure, it is Ng?puhi who rejoices in your ascension to the top of the mountain. The whole of M?oridom also celebrates you, the champion of the M?ori language within the Law Realm)
Minister for M?ori Development, Hon Willie Jackson announced today the appointment of Alana Thomas, Ng?puhi, as a Judge of Te Kooti Whenua M?ori – the M?ori Land Court.
Willie Jackson said Ms Thomas is a champion for the benefits of a M?ori perspective within the legal system.
“If we think of someone who is strong, is fighting for M?ori issues in law, who is passionate about M?ori culture, who is committed to M?ori language, there’s no doubt that’s her.
“It’s the essence reflected in the whakatauk?: Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi te whenua. A call to hold fast to our culture for without our language; without the land; without the spirit of being tangata whenua; our essence would be diminished.”
Ms Thomas has a broad depth of experience in practicing law and is currently the Director of her own firm.
She has predominantly been involved in M?ori legal issues representing clients in the M?ori Land Court and M?ori Appellate Court as well as representing a number of iwi, hap?, wh?nau claimants in Waitangi Tribunal historical, kaupapa and urgent inquiries.. She is also Co-ordinating Counsel in a number of these inquiries.
She has been involved in several Waitangi Tribunal inquiries, appeared before the M?ori Land Court, and previously worked at the Whangarei M?ori Land Court. 
Ms Thomas is a member of Te Hunga R?ia M?ori o Aotearoa (The M?ori Law Society) and a past president of Te R?kau Ture (M?ori Law Students Association).
Prior to practising law, she worked as a Deputy Registrar at the M?ori Land Court in Whangarei. Alana is fluent in Te Reo M?ori and is a strong advocate for the use and promotion of Te Reo M?ori within the law.
Willie Jackson said Ms Thomas brings a wealth of valuable experience to her appointment as a Judge of Te Kooti Whenua M?ori.
“The M?ori Land Court continues to play a fundamental role supporting wh?nau to thrive by enabling wh?nau to connect with, use and manage their whenua.
“Ms Thomas’ appointment will make a valuable contribution to the knowledge and leadership of the current bench,” Minister Jackson said.
 

Fonte/Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-appointment-m%C4%81ori-land-court-bench