糖心Vlog

Te reo M膩ori and the Courts: does bilingualism fit within our justice system? by Judge Alana Thomas

Judge Alana Thomas Portrait

The Waikato Public Law and Policy Research Unit is proud to host Judge Alana Thomas for Her Honour鈥檚 views on the use of te reo M膩ori in our courts.

The legal status of te reo M膩ori has not been an issue in Aotearoa since it became an official language by way of the M膩ori Language Act 1987. However, the use of te reo M膩ori and its prominence in the day-to-day operations of Aotearoa Courts still remains an issue. So please join our Judge in Residence, Judge Alana Thomas, to wananga this very special topic.

Judge Alana Thomas is a permanent Judge of the M膩ori Land Court and member of the Waitangi Tribunal. Judge Thomas was appointed in 2023. Judge Thomas graduated from the University of Auckland in 2008. Whilst studying, Judge Thomas was the President of the M膩ori Law Students Association and an active member of Waipapa Taumata Rau, the M膩ori Students Association.

During her legal career, Judge Thomas represented several iwi and hap奴 throughout New Zealand on matters relating to the rights of te iwi M膩ori, and more specifically, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the environment, the land, the sea, tikanga M膩ori and te reo M膩ori.

Judge Thomas is a strong advocate for the promotion of te reo M膩ori and has been passionate in her pursuit to ensure te reo M膩ori is recognised and used in the law.

Judge Thomas sits within the Aotea and Waikato-Maniapoto districts.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you either in person or via Teams.