Support For Maori Treaty Claims
Elias is a heroic figure among those whose passion is Maori justice and has a reputation for compassion and humanity. In 1984, she helped Nganeko Minhinnick's Manukau Harbour claim to the Waitangi Tribunal. This led to work on other treaty cases, including a claim to prevent the Government selling radio frequencies, and the case challenging the 1994 Maori electoral option. This work gave her an appreciation of Maori custom and aspirations that she still fosters among the judiciary and in her private life. In June 2003 she was involved in a landmark case which allowed for the possibility that the Maori Land Court could issue freehold title over the foreshore and seabed. The subsequent legal uncertainties and upheavals in Maoridom dominated the political agenda for the next 18 months.
Read more about this topic: Sian Elias
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