The New Zealand city of Lower Hutt has become the first outside Auckland with a Pasifika resident district court judge.
The selection of a Samoan New Zealander is being hailed as the vanguard of diversity and representation, the embodiment of Te Ao Mārama - a reflection of the judicial needs of a multicultural Aotearoa.
Judge Mike Mika himself described his powhiri at Waiwhetū Marae in simpler terms, calling it a homecoming.
Dominic Godfrey was there.
Chief District Court Judge Hēmi Taumaunu and Judge Mike Mika. Photo: Dominic Godfrey / RNZ Pacific
