Hon Christopher Finlayson
Attorney-General
8 February 2011
Media Statement
New High Court Judge appointed
Auckland lawyer Christian Nathanial Whata has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher
Finlayson announced today.
Mr Whata graduated with a BA and LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1992. After spending time as a solicitor at
Simpson Grierson and Kensington Swan, he went to Cambridge University where he obtained an LLM (First Class).
On his return to New Zealand he joined Russell McVeagh and became a partner in 2001. During his time at Russell McVeagh
he specialised in Maori Issues, Litigation, Public Law, Energy, Environmental Law and Resource Management.
He is a co-author of chapters on Maori Issues and Environmental Litigation in Nolan Environmental Law and a former
President of Te Runanga Roia o Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland Maori Lawyers Association), and sits as a Board member of the
St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria Schools Trust Board.
The new Judge will sit in Christchurch from 1 March 2011.
ENDS