New Zealand Supreme Court overturns Peter Ellis' child sexual abuse convictions due to incorporating the Maori concept of "mana," raising questions about applying Māori tikanga in law.

New Zealand's Supreme Court's use of the Maori concept of "mana" in overturning Peter Ellis' child sexual abuse convictions raises questions about incorporating Māori tikanga into law. Cases like Green v Police and Sweeney v Prison Manager highlight challenges in applying mana, which varies greatly from English language, and the risks of common law corrupting tikanga elements. Lawyers need understanding of when and how tikanga is relevant.

June 24, 2024
4 Articles