7. Courts with special rules concerning access to information

7.1 Maori Land Court

All documents forming part of the permanent record of the Maori Land Court are available for inspection and copying under Rule 167 of the Maori Land Court Rules 1994.

Court practice allows the public, including the media, to inspect and copy parts of the permanent record at the court office where the relevant land is located.

In some cases, parts of the permanent record may be deemed confidential by a judge and will not be available for inspection or copying.

Documents included as part of the permanent record include:

• minute books

• application files

• orders

• any documents required to be deposited in the court by court order or legislation

• any other record required to be kept or maintained under relevant legislation

• any other record, notice or document that the court or a registrar considers necessary to enable the court to function effectively as a Court of Record and to preserve the court’s existing historical record of title and ownership.

7.2 Environment Court

The judge may impose restrictions on the inspection of a document and, under the Resource Management Act, the court may order that evidence be heard in private, or prohibit or restrict the publication of evidence.

Subject to any restrictions, once a written statement or affidavit is presented to the court at a public hearing, the media may approach counsel or the court to request copies.

Please direct your enquiries about matters of public record to the registrar of the Environment Court.

7.3 Coroners Court

The Coroners Act 2006 contains a number of specific provisions regarding access to coroners’ findings and other documents held by the Ministry of Justice. Please go to www.legislation.govt.nz to find information relevant to your needs.