Wednesday 13 May 2026
1pm - 2pm
Moot Court (N.1.01), N block, UoW, Hamilton campus
Dr Dee Raman
Free
Regulatory Law through the Lens of Law-in-Context' by Dr Simon Robb
Te reo Māori and the Courts: does bilingualism fit within our justice system? by Judge Alana Thomas
- Wednesday 13 May 2026
- 1pm - 2pm
- Moot Court (N.1.01), N block, UoW, Hamilton campus
- Dr Dee Raman
- dee.raman@waikato.ac.nz
- Free
The Waikato Public Law and Policy Research Unit is proud to host Judge Alana Thomas for Her Honour’s views on the use of te reo Māori in our courts.
The legal status of te reo Māori has not been an issue in Aotearoa since it became an official language by way of the Māori Language Act 1987. However, the use of te reo Māori 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 Māori 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 Māori Law Students Association and an active member of Waipapa Taumata Rau, the Māori Students Association.
During her legal career, Judge Thomas represented several iwi and hapū throughout New Zealand on matters relating to the rights of te iwi Māori, and more specifically, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the environment, the land, the sea, tikanga Māori and te reo Māori.
Judge Thomas is a strong advocate for the promotion of te reo Māori and has been passionate in her pursuit to ensure te reo Māori 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.