Media Release from New Zealand Maori Council SOE claim before Waitangi Tribunal

in Day 7 of a 8 day hearing at Waiwhetu Marae, Lower Hutt

"The Crown, through Ministry of Justice, has prevented claimants from the proper presentation of their claims through the denial of fair and reasonable legal aid. There has been a denial of access to justice on one of the most significant claims for Maori people." said Mr Neville Baker.

"As a member of the Waiwhetu Marae Community which is hosting this national claim, I was disappointed to hear how legal aid had not paid one cent towards costs of this claim. It has been fast tracked under urgency by the Tribunal since February 2012 and there's no excuse to dragging out the payment of costs."

"The Crown's legal team comprises Crown law and senior legal counsel from top law firms. It would be interesting to know what their hourly rate of payment is." said Mr Baker. "I doubt they'll be getting the same as our team and I bet they have been paid regularly."

"Ministry of Justice staff lack the capacity to understand a collective (Hapu) claim for legal aid or against individual legal aid claim. This cultural mismatch needs to be fixed up fast." said Mr Baker.

"This urgent hearing is only part one of 3 stages. How are we to compete with the Crown team if legal aid does not pay."

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