Waikato, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga
Judge Terena Wara was appointed to the Māori Land Court on 1 March 2019.
She is one of two resident Judges for the Waiariki District of the Māori Land Court and hears cases in Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Tauranga (Waikato Maniapoto District of the Māori Land Court).
Judge Wara graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Waikato in 2006 and was admitted to the Bar later the same year. Before being appointed to the Māori Land Court, Judge Wara was a director of Tu Pono Legal which she co-founded in 2014. While in practice she specialised in resolving Māori legal issues, acting for clients across a range of issues in both general practice and litigation. Judge Wara has broad experience in both the Waitangi Tribunal and the Māori Land Court, acting for whānau, hapū and iwi.
Judge Wara is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.