Published: 28 March 2025
Practice Resources,The Chief High Court Judge/Te Kaiwhakawa Matua, the Hon Justice Venning, has advised that counsel should feel free to introduce themselves in te reo provided they also introduce themselves in English. His Honour noted that judges are familiar with the introductions and translations used by Crown Law.
The Solicitor-General and Crown Law have provided the following introductions and translations for announcing appearances in Māori.
Please refer to the attached pronunciation guide below.
Māori |
English |
| Simple | |
|
E te kaiwhakawā, tēnā koe. Ko [name] tōku ingoa. Kei konei ahau mō te Karauna E te Kōti ko [name] ahau. Kei kōnei ahau mō te Kaikaro E te Kōti ko [name] ahau. Kei kōnei ahau mō te Kaiwhakahē |
To the Judge, greetings. My name is [name] I am here for the Crown May it please the court, counsel’s name is [name]. I appear for the defendant May it please the court, counsel’s name is [name]. I appear for the respondent |
| More Complex | |
| Multiple Judges: | |
| E nga kaiwhakawā, tēnā koutou. Ko [name] tōku ingoa. Kei konei ahau mō te Karauna | To the Judges (three or more), greetings. My name is [name]. I am here for the Crown |
| Multiple respondents: | |
|
E te Kōti ko [name] ahau. Kei kōnei ahau mō te Kaiwhakahē tuarua E te Kōti ko [name] ahau. Kei kōnei ahau mō te Kaiwhakahē tuatahi E te Kōti ko [name] ahau. Kei kōnei ahau mō te Kaiwhakahē tuatahi rāua ko te Kaiwhakahē tuarua |
May it please the court, counsel’s name is [name]. I appear for the second respondent May it please the court, counsel’s name is [name]. I appear for the first respondent May it please the court, counsel’s name is [name]. I appear for the first and second respondents |
| Appearing with Juniors | |
|
E te kaiwhakawā, tēnā koe. Ko [own name] ahau. Kei konei maua ko [junior’s name] mō te Karauna E te kaiwhakawā, tēnā koe. Ko [own name] ahau. Kei konei matou ko [first junior’s name] ko [second junior’ name] mō te Karauna |
To the Judge, greetings. My name is [name]. I am here with [name] for the Crown To the Judge, greetings. My name is [name]. I am here with [names] for the Crown |