His appointment is set to take effect on August 1, 2025
The Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata to the Court of Appeal.
Whata brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He graduated with a law degree from the University of Auckland in 1994 and was admitted to the bar in 1992. He began his legal career as a solicitor with Simpson Grierson in Auckland, followed by a role in the general litigation team at Kensington Swan.
After earning a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, Justice Whata joined Russell McVeagh in 1997, where he specialised in resource management law and legal matters related to Māori issues. He became a partner in 2001, demonstrating expertise in public and environmental law and working on Māori legal matters.
Whata was appointed to the High Court in 2011. Initially based in Christchurch, he served the South Island circuit from 2012 to 2015. Since 2016, he has been based in Auckland, working in circuits across Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton, and Whangārei.
During his tenure on the High Court, Whata presided over cases spanning common law, commercial law, public law, environmental law, Māori law, and criminal law.
In 2021, Whata was appointed a member of the Law Commission Te Aka Matua o te Ture. This independent Crown entity is responsible for reviewing New Zealand law and recommending improvements. Whata led Te Aka Matua o te Ture’s work in relation to tikanga Māori, with a particular focus on the relationship between tikanga Māori and State law.
Whata also serves as a faculty member at Te Kura Kaiwhakawā (Institute of Judicial Studies), where he helps lead the Tikanga Programme, which focuses on integrating Māori customs and traditions into judicial practice. His whakapapa connects him to Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Tamateatūtahi-Kawiti of Te Arawa, further enriching his perspective in cases involving Māori law and Tikanga.
Whata’s appointment will take effect on August 1, 2025, following the retirement of Justice David Goddard on July 31, 2025.
