I think this story needs to be highlighted. From TangataWhenua.com;
Auckland lawyer Christian Nathanial Whata who affliate to Ngati Pikiao has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
Whata graduated with a BA and LLB ( Hons ) from Auckland University in 1992. After spending time as a solicitor at Simpson Grierson and Kensington Swan, he went to Cambridge University where he obtained an LLM (First Class).
On his return to New Zealand he joined Russell McVeagh and became a partner in 2001.
What a proud day for his whanau and hapu Ngati Pikiao. Christian is clearly extremely talented and his appointment appears well deserved. As far as I know Christian becomes the third Maori appointed as a Justice of The High Court, Eddie Durie been the first and Joe Williams the second. Well done.
UPDATE: Chris Webster in the comments section has pointed out that I have omitted the Honourable Justice Lowell Goddard. Goddard J is a distinguished member of The High Court bench and whakapapas to Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungungu and Ngati Te Upokoiri.
