MĀORI - Key Persons


Claire Stirling-Hawkins

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • Ministry of Justice in 2014 As a Collections Manager
  • Registrar / Te Pae Ārahi O Te Rāwhiti
Claire joined the Ministry of Justice in 2014 as a Collections Manager covering the Manawatu and Whanganui regions. Prior to joining the Ministry of Justice she held a number of leadership and management positions with Careers New Zealand, covering similar regions and including Taranaki. Claire joined the Māori Land Court in 2017 and brings extensive leadership knowledge and experience to her current position as Pae Ārahi o Te Rawhiti.

Daniel Williams

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team

Don Cameron

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • Registrar / Te Pae Ārahi O Te Raki

Graeme Vercoe

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • Land Court in 2005 As Regional Director
  • Registrar / Te Pae Ārahi O Te Rito
Graeme joined the Māori Land Court in 2005 as Regional Director in Rotorua. Before this he held a number of management positions with the Department of Corrections and Department of Justice. Graeme served with the New Zealand Army for over 20 years, until retiring in the rank of substantive Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Graeme was awarded a Queens Service Medal for public services in 2008.

Judge Damian Stone

Job Titles:
  • Judge

Judy Powell

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team

Pirihira Cribb

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team

Steve Gunson Pae

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • Director Waitangi Tribunal and Māori Land Court
  • Pae Matua - Director Waitangi Tribunal and Māori Land Court

Steven Dodd

Job Titles:
  • Chief
  • Member of the Leadership Team
  • Registrar
  • Kairēhita Matua - Chief Registrar of the Māori Land Court
  • Te Kairēhita Matua - Chief Registrar
Steve first began work in the Maori Affairs Department in July 1984 working Māori Trustee and then the Land Development division before becoming an Alienation Officer in 1989. Steve has held multiple roles within the Court, including as a case manager, team leader, district manager, Principal Liaison Officer and Service Manager, before being appointed as the Chief Registrar of the Māori Land Court in February 2021.