Law Commissioner appointment
High Court Judge Justice Eddie Durie has been appointed to the Law Commission, the Minister Responsible for the Law
Commission David Benson-Pope announced today.
Justice Durie will replace Justice Patrick Keane, who left the Law Commission on being appointed to the High Court bench
last year.
The six-member Law Commission is an independent government-funded advisory body which reviews areas of the law that need
updating, reforming or developing.
Justice Durie has been a member of the judiciary since his appointment as a Judge of the Mâori Land Court in 1974, the
first such appointment for a person of Mâori descent. He was subsequently appointed Chief Judge of the Mâori Land Court,
Chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal and, in 1998, a Judge of the High Court.
"The Law Commission provides high quality independent opinion and thus helps create informed debate on many public
policy issues. I welcome the appointment of Justice Durie. He is highly respected as a specialist in the area of Mâori
land law, and has much to contribute to the work of the Commission,” Mr Benson-Pope said.
Justice Durie will take up the position in July after a period of sabbatical leave.