Once described as both a court of law and a “court of social purpose” the Māori Land Court has played, and continues to play, a pivotal role in terms of Māori land. In turn, connections to land are of major significance for Māori identity. So, what then is the relationship between the Māori Land Court and expressions of Māori identity? Judge Coxhead will discuss the functions and role of the Māori Land Court - past, present and future - and share his observations about its impact on the formation and maintenance of a dynamic Māori identity. Judge Coxhead (Ngāti Makino, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maru) worked in private practice with McCaw Lewis Chapman before becoming a lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Law. He had previously graduated from Waikato Law School with a LLB Honours, was admitted to the bar and then completed a LLM. He was appointed to the Māori Land Court bench in 2008 and is a resident judge in Wellington.