District Court Judge Greg Davis
The Matariki Court is based in Kaikohe, Northland. Where a person pleads guilty to an offence, but before the court imposes a sentence on that person, the court will allow the offender to participate in a culturally appropriate rehabilitation programme (under the Sentencing Act 2002, s 25).
The offender’s iwi, hapū and whānau may be involved in developing the rehabilitation programme. If the offender successfully completes this programme, the court will take this into account when it sets the final sentence.
E ngā mana
E ngā reo, tēnā koutou katoa.
Ki ngā tini aituā e ai ki a tatou, e kore nga mihi
ki a koutou e mutu.
He uri o Rahiri tenei e mihi atu ki a koutou.
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
In the far north where I sit, we work with the assistance of Ngapuhi and groups within Ngapuhi communities. In dealing with offenders and victims in our community, whānau hold a critical piece of the puzzle to assist in reducing Māori crime.
There are no quick or easy solutions to the rate of offending in our communities. Working with whānau and the community networks generally will provide a broader understanding fo the role and functions of the Court, and ensure that the Court has quality information about offenders and their communities.
Pat Snedden MNZM
Pat Snedden has extensive governance experience, having served as chair of Auckland District Health Board and Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Big Idea Charitable Trust and Ko Awatea Health Partnership, among others. He is a former director of the Ports of Auckland and Te Urungi o Ngati Kuri Ltd and was chief crown negotiator in the Office of Treaty Settlements from 2008-13.
Pat is the author of an award winning book “Pakeha and the treaty – why it is our treaty too”
Tawera Nikau
Tawera is one of New Zealand’s most successful professional athletes. He made his name in the highly competitive world of rugby league. A veteran of 19 tests for New Zealand as a forward, Tawera went on to captain the New Zealand Maori team at the Rugby League World Cup and has been inducted into the New Zealand Legends of League.
Tawera’s passion and contribution to league continues as he currently sits on the NZRL Board of Directors and is a selector for the New Zealand Kiwis.
Tawera is Managing Director of Team One International a training company which is dedicated to œUnleashing Human Potential . He brings a wealth of experience in high-performance sports and effortlessly translates this knowledge into clear insights in the areas of leadership and organizational and individual behaviour.
In 2004 he had his right leg amputated due to complications from injuries suffered in a motorbike accident. The traits that made him a sporting champion enabled him to excel in other areas. Tawera is now an ambassador for the Achilles Foundation which gives people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in mainstream events. He has completed the New York Marathon three times and in 2010, 2015 completed the Oxfam 100km Taupo Trail Walker which raises funds to support Oxfam New Zealand.
As acknowledgment for his contributions Tawera has been appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Rugby League and the community and in 2011 recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
Hine Waitai-Dye – Ngāti Kuri
Hine is an accomplished young artist specialising in Tā Moko, Whakairo and Visual Arts. Seven years ago, she set up her successful Ta Moko (Maori Tattoo) studio in Kaitaia. In 2019, she won the Creative Arts New Zealand, Nga Manu Pirere Award (Fledging Bird) for young Maori Artist of the year.
Hine has been studying Waka building at the New Zealand Māori Institute of Arts and Crafts. Now in her sixth year of waka building, she has worked on 15 waka and completed 7 on her own. In November 2023 she became first female waka builder graduate under Kaupapa Maori. She was part of the team in the building of waka for the Suquamish Nation in Seattle and contributed to the construction of canoes in Hilo, Hawaii and the recent Rātā waka symposium in Whāngarei.
Hine is a strong role model for Māori women, unafraid to enter areas usually seen as the realm of men in tā moko, whakairo and canoe building. Having acquired these skills and experiences she continues to return home to her Ngāti Kuri iwi to gift back her expertise to te ‘hau kāinga’.
As a “young” leader, Hine has contributed as a claimant whanau and future leaders for Ngati Kuri in the development of a WAI262 work programmes and is part of the team to initiate Maori to Maori engagement throughout the country. As a young Maori artist Hine knows first-hand the struggles to retain our own intellectual property as Maori. Through it all she continues to remain her authentic self and leads with purpose and passion within the Arts and Taiao (Environment).
Hine is the Ringatoi (Creative person) for her Iwi Environmental team, infusing creative pratice in to the restoration of the health and well-lbeing of the environment. She has lead many restorative projects within her tribal areas, particlauly on the Islands of Rangitāhua (Kermadec Islands) and Manatāwhi (Three Kings). She is the founder of Fourth Generation (4thGen). A group of passionate young adults engaged in environmental management and biodviersity conservation, in her ancestral lands. The 4th Gen members have a desire to live and work daily to protect and restore their lands and waters to their original form. In carrying forth the legacy of her great grand mother, Saana Waitai Murray, she is on a mission with her 4th Gen Roopu to be kaitiaki of everything above and below the moana with their overarching goal “Zero Extinction”.
Kotahi te tapuwae, he mano, he mano…. The first sacred step is followed by 1000s upon 1000s….
Melanie Vezey – MC
Melanie is a public speaking and presentation coach who helps her clients improve their communication skills through one-to-one and group training. A lively and engaging presenter, she shares her people-skills knowledge with practical, relatable stories. She is a certified facilitator for Appreciation At Work™ (The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace) and has a background in public relations and event management. She is also a much-loved wedding celebrant and is seen marrying couples all year round on beaches, hilltops and venues around the Bay of Islands.