Low Maori lawyer numbers lamented

The Maori Law Society is concerned about the low number of Maori lawyers practising in Northland.

The Tai Tokerau branch of the Maori Law Society has described the number of Maori lawyers in the region as "very low" as new graduates seek work in bigger cities.

Alana Thomas, who heads the society's Tai Tokerau branch, said between 20 and 25 Maori lawyers served a population of 50,800 Maori in Northland. She was reacting to reports that Maori made up only 5.5 per cent of New Zealand's lawyers and 8 per cent of 78 law graduates last year. This year, Maori made up 8 per cent of general admissions throughout the country.

In Northland there is one Maori lawyer for every 2032 Maori.

"It's very low, although I think the number is growing as young Maori are going to university to become lawyers," Ms Thomas said.

"After graduation, not all come up here. They go to Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and other bigger centres where they find more job opportunities. Sadly there's a misconception among young Maori lawyers that opportunities for work up here are less, but there's much more of a need for them in Northland."

Work in Treaty of Waitangi negotiations and the fact some Maori defendants preferred Maori lawyers were reasons for them to work in Northland, she said.

Ms Thomas works for Kotuku Chambers, an all-Maori law firm in Kaikohe, and specialises in Treaty of Waitangi and family issues and criminal law.

She said there was a push to let young Maori graduates know about job opportunities in Northland.

"We promote to uni students that there's a need for Maori practice and growth up here. In our practice, we get them on board and give them experience in treaty negotiations," she said.

The Statistics Department listed the number of Maori in Northland at 50,800 as at the end of June. The population is projected to increase to 53,600 in 2016 and to 55,900 in 2021. There were 48,000 Maori in Northland in 2006 - almost 8 per cent of the population.