Justice Williams to talk about Treaty in HB

Hon Justice Joe Williams will speak about the promises of the Treaty of Waitangi (Tiriti o Waitangi) at Hawke's Bay Regional Council’s breakfast meeting in Hastings on 1 May.

Justice Williams (Ngati Pukenga and Te Arawa (Waitaha, Tapuika)) was appointed as a judge of the High Court in October 2008 and is a leading specialist in M
ori legal issues. He will be speaking at the first of the Regional Council’s “Embracing Futures Thinking” breakfast speaker series this year.

Justice Williams will be sharing his insights on the promises of the Treaty in Hawke’s Bay, the importance of relationships and the role of local government.

“Treaty settlements may result in new partnerships around the management of natural resources in Hawke’s Bay and we want to work proactively with tangata whenua on how such relationships may evolve,” said Regional Council Chairman, Alan Dick.

“This presentation will enhance the regional community’s understanding of the Treaty in Hawke’s Bay as we move to strengthen our relationships for mutual regional benefit.”

Justice Williams was the first M
ori Law lecturer at Victoria University, and has also worked in law practices. He has served as Chief Judge of the M
ori Land Court, and as Chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal. He was educated at Lindisfarne College, Hastings.

Invitations have been sent to past attendees for the “Embracing Futures Thinking’ breakfast series; anyone else who would like to attend (cost $15) can contact the Regional Council on 06 833 8075.