New Waitangi Tribunal appointments announced

Māori Development Minster Nanaia Mahuta has announced two new appointments and a reappointment to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Susy Frankel and Paul Hamer have joined the tribunal, while Basil Morrison CNZM JP has been reappointed to another term.

“They are both highly regarded in their respective fields, and will no doubt bring their wealth of expertise to the tribunal,” Mahuta said.

A professor of law and the chair of the intellectual property and international trade law at Victoria University of Wellington, Frankel has extensive experience in IP, including protection of mātauranga Māori, or traditional knowledge.

In addition to being a principal advisor in Māori strategy and partnerships at the Department of Corrections, Hamer is an esteemed historian and research associate at Victoria University of Wellington. He is also a specialist on Māori migration to Australia.

The Waitangi Tribunal said that Hamer has extensive experience in the public sector. He has worked for both the tribunal and Te Puni Kōkiri in various roles.

“Congratulations to our three new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal. They are all of a high calibre, and I look forward to seeing their contributions to the tribunal’s important work,” Mahuta said.

All three have been appointed to three-year terms.