Waitangi Tribunal chairman Eddie Durie has resigned to focus on his role as High Court judge.
Justice Durie resigned last September, with Maori Land Court chief judge Joe Williams taking over as acting chairman until the appointment of a permanent replacement.
A spokeswoman for Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said today Justice Durie's departure was not announced at the time because he had requested a "seamless transition" from his resignation to the appointment of a new chair.
"Government is currently working through this process, hence there has been no public announcement," she said.
Justice Durie, 63, had resigned after heading the tribunal for 21 years "to allow him to fully focus on his important role as a High Court judge," the spokeswoman said.
Justice Durie was appointed tribunal chairman and chief judge of the Maori Land Court in 1981. He resigned as chief judge when he was appointed to the High Court in 1998.
Judge Williams, one off New Zealand's leading specialists on Maori issues, was appointed Maori Land Court chief judge in December 1999.
- NZPA
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