The new deputy chief judge of the Maori Land Court, Caren Fox, has been hailed for her efforts helping Maori and her strong grasp of Maori and international law.
Judge Fox, who affiliates to Ngati Porou and Rongowhakaata, was appointed to the court nine years ago after lecturing in law at Victoria and Waikato Universities.
Moana Jackson, who set up the Wellington Maori Legal Service with Judge Fox in 1988, says she entered the law wanting to make a difference for Maori.
"She cares for the rights of our people and the relationship we have with the land, and I think that's essential in someone who's a judge in that court and particularly someone who is to be the chief or deputy chief judge," Mr Jackson told Waatea News.
Moana Jackson says Judge Fox did postgraduate study on how international legal doctrines applied to Maori and other indigenous peoples.
