Te Piringa - Māori Moots Winner 2015
19 August 2015
Impressed by the 'outstanding presentation, and a logical and well-structured persuasive argument", Aperahama Hurihanganui (LLB/BA) was announced the overall winner, best mooter and top mooter in Te reo Māori at the finals of Te Piringa Māori Moots, held 13 August 2015 at the Maori Land Court. At the award ceremony, Judge Clark also praised the young law student's confidence in presenting his arguments and answering questions, and the way in which he demonstrated that he was very well prepared. Aperahama received three trophies and financial rewards for his efforts also.
By winning the Faculty competition, Aperahama will represent Te Piringa- Faculty of Law at the Te Hunga Roia Māori Conference (Māori Law Society) on 3 September 2015 on the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi, where all universities across Aotearoa will be competing for the coveted prize of Top Māori Law Mooter in New Zealand.
The moot problem was based on the very real issue (currently being argued in court) about the honour of the Crown and who are legal claimants to Māori Land. The judges reinforced the importance of tikanga (Māori protocols) and always for counsel to be cognisant of how precedents may apply to the submissions of their clients.
The judges for the moot competition were Judge Stephen Clark appointed to the Māori Land Court for the Waikato–Maniapoto District, Rachel Mullins solicitor of McCaw Lewis Lawyers, and Matiu Dickson, Senior Lecturer of Te Piringa - Faculty of Law. The judges were impressed by the high calibre of the mooting and offered feedback to all finalists who were encouraged to continue to moot.
Other finalists were Anaru Adams, Steffan Van Lieshout, Te Hiko Matiu, Tania Abams, and Ethan Jerome-Leota. Te Piringa staff Marie Were, Robert Josephs, Mylene Rakena and Mark Calderwood assisted with the event along with volunteers and supporters Alaynna Davis and Te Whakahiapo. McCaw Lewis lawyers have provided ongoing support and sponsorship of Te Piringa Faculty of Law's Kaupapa Māori mooting programme, and the event was hosted by the Māori Land Court and staff –many of who are Waikato alumni.