Speakers

District Court Judge Greg Davis

The Matariki Court is based in Kaikohe, Northland. Where a person pleads guilty to an offence, but before the court imposes a sentence on that person, the court will allow the offender to participate in a culturally appropriate rehabilitation programme (under the Sentencing Act 2002, s 25).

The offender’s iwi, hapū and whānau may be involved in developing the rehabilitation programme. If the offender successfully completes this programme, the court will take this into account when it sets the final sentence.

E ngā mana
E ngā reo, tēnā koutou katoa.
Ki ngā tini aituā e ai ki a tatou, e kore nga mihi
ki a koutou e mutu.
He uri o Rahiri tenei e mihi atu ki a koutou.
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

In the far north where I sit, we work with the assistance of Ngapuhi and groups within Ngapuhi communities. In dealing with offenders and victims in our community, whānau hold a critical piece of the puzzle to assist in reducing Māori crime.

There are no quick or easy solutions to the rate of offending in our communities. Working with whānau and the community networks generally will provide a broader understanding fo the role and functions of the Court, and ensure that the Court has quality information about offenders and their communities.

Pat Snedden MNZM

Pat Snedden has extensive governance experience, having served as chair of Auckland District Health Board and Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Big Idea Charitable Trust and Ko Awatea Health Partnership, among others. He is a former director of the Ports of Auckland and Te Urungi o Ngati Kuri Ltd and was chief crown negotiator in the Office of Treaty Settlements from 2008-13.

Pat is the author of an award winning book “Pakeha and the treaty – why it is our treaty too”

Tawera Nikau

Tawera is one of New Zealand’s most successful professional athletes. He made his name in the highly competitive world of rugby league. A veteran of 19 tests for New Zealand as a forward, Tawera went on to captain the New Zealand Maori team at the Rugby League World Cup and has been inducted into the New Zealand Legends of League.

Tawera’s passion and contribution to league continues as he currently sits on the NZRL Board of Directors and is a selector for the New Zealand Kiwis.

Tawera is Managing Director of Team One International a training company which is dedicated to œUnleashing Human Potential . He brings a wealth of experience in high-performance sports and effortlessly translates this knowledge into clear insights in the areas of leadership and organizational and individual behaviour.

In 2004 he had his right leg amputated due to complications from injuries suffered in a motorbike accident. The traits that made him a sporting champion enabled him to excel in other areas. Tawera is now an ambassador for the Achilles Foundation which gives people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in mainstream events. He has completed the New York Marathon three times and in 2010, 2015 completed the Oxfam 100km Taupo Trail Walker which raises funds to support Oxfam New Zealand.

As acknowledgment for his contributions Tawera has been appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Rugby League and the community and in 2011 recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust.