April 24, 2024
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour let off hook by High Court decision
The High Court has ruled Children’s Minister Karen Chhour cannot be compelled to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal.
The decision was released late Wednesday night by Justice Andru Isac who granted the Crown’s application for judicial review, setting aside the summons issued by the tribunal.
Justice Isac added that the mana of the tribunal and the importance of its work was not diminished by his decision.
The judicial review challenged an unprecedented request from the Waitangi Tribunal earlier this month for Minister Chhour to appear before an urgent inquiry about the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
7AA requires the Oranga Tamariki to consider its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations by ensuring it takes into account the whakapapa of tamariki Māori by prioritizing placements within hapū and Iwi.
In a press statement immediately after the decision, Minister Chhour said she welcomed , “… this important decision, not for her own sake, but for the constitutional clarity it provides for New Zealand.”
Te Pāti Māori Kaikōrero for Tamariki/Mokopuna and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says the High Court decision is enabling another stolen generation.