Overview

Buddle Findlay has one of New Zealand's leading Māori law teams.  Our team specialises in advising the Crown, local government and private entities on Māori law issues and on working effectively with Māori.

We have a particular focus on providing legal and strategic advice to our clients, for example:

  • The Crown on contemporary Māori law issues and the historical Treaty of Waitangi settlement process and negotiations

  • Local authorities on building relationship frameworks and working with Māori in light of their statutory obligations under local government legislation, the Resource Management Act 1991 and other legislation

  • A range of private and commercial entities on particular legal obligations and processes they have to Māori and how they can build positive working relationships with Māori

  • A range of clients on RMA processes involving Māori and other processes including in the Māori Land Court.

The firm is proud to announce that it has entered into a partnership with the Māori Law Review.  The Māori Law Review is a monthly review of legal developments affecting Māori.

We are pleased to be able to assist the Māori Law Review to increase reporting and analysis of legal developments affecting Māori.  The Māori Law Review covers a broad range of legal issues and its team of contributing authors and consultant editors provide expert commentary to subscribers.

More information about the Māori Law Review is available on its website.

Experience

Experience

Sector/Expertise

Work highlights

Work highlights

Advising the Crown

on the negotiation, design and implementation of over 30 Treaty settlements, particularly around co-governance and co-management of natural resources and local government frameworks with Māori.  This has included the Tuhoe (Te Urewera National Park), Whanganui River, Waikato River, Rangitaiki and Kaituna Rivers, Te Tau Ihu (eight iwi - top of the South Island) and Te Hiku (five iwi - Northland).

Advising Auckland Council

on its legal obligations to Māori (and the implementation of those obligations) including in relation to the Tāmaki Collective maunga settlement.

Advising the Crown

on the marine and coastal area law reform including negotiations with Māori under the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 and the repeal and replacement of that Act.

Advising a range of commercial entities

on Māori law issues including in relation to Māori land (for example, under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 and the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975).

Our team

Our team