Martin has worked extensively on Maori issues. This has included commercial advice and litigation for Maori clients, as well as prosecution of major public law cases and Treaty claims. Highlights have included:

• appearance as junior council in the Privy Council on interlocutory aspects of Maori fisheries;
• leading major judicial review litigation in the High Court and Court of Appeal on the proposed distribution of Maori fishing assets; and
• leading claimant arguments on behalf of Rotorua Maori in the Waitangi Tribunal’s Central North Island Inquiry.

Martin’s experience in this area has covered many complex areas including:

• judicial review, natural justice and administrative law;
• common law causes of action such as fiduciary duties, trespass and other torts;
• large overlap with trust law in dealing with many Maori land trusts and post settlement entities;
• resource management issues;
• general land law;
• policy and negotiation skills; and
• specialist skills in relation to specific Maori legal issues Maori cultural perception.

Martin regards resolution of Treaty issues, in whatever forum, as an important contribution to the future of New Zealand society.