His Honour Justice Christian Whata of the New Zealand Court of Appeal will be the guest speaker at the Human Rights Law Association’s biennial oration.
Entitled Engaging indigeneity – a dialogue between old and new, the oration about indigenous rights will be held on Thursday, 12 March, at 5.15pm at the Banco Court, Brisbane.
Justice Whata graduated from Auckland University in 1992 and was admitted to the bar in the same year.
His Honour started working with the Auckland firm of Simpson Grierson until 1993 when he took up a position in the general litigation team at Kensington Swan until 1995.
He then moved to Russell McVeagh from 1997-2001, becoming a Partner in 2001. He specialised in resource management law and Māori issues.
Justice Whata was appointed a High Court Judge on 1 March 2011, initially based at the Christchurch High Court. He is now based in Auckland. Justice Whata was appointed to the Court of Appeal from 1 August 2025.
His Honour Justice Crowley of the Queensland Supreme Court will chair the event, and Professor Narelle Bedford from Bond University will provide commentary.
There will be discussion on how the law in Australia and New Zealand engages with indigeneity and indigenous rights, and lessons from that engagement.
Tickets are free for current HRLA members and $25 for non-members.
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