Roimata Smail
Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, Ngāti Kotimana, Ngāti Ingarangi) has worked for two decades as a human rights and public law barrister specialising in discrimination against Māori.
She has represented iwi, hapū, whānau, urban Māori organisations and Māori owned and governed health and social service providers in the Courts and Waitangi Tribunal. She has also advised on settlement negotiations with the Crown involving the return of ancestral land and acting in litigation and negotiations with the Crown under the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 and the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. Roimata is also a Treaty educator who has developed experiential workshops on Te Tiriti and the Wai Ako educational website for schools.
Last year she published a best selling book "Understanding Te Tiriti: A Handbook of Basic Facts about Te Tiriti o Waitangi", an easy to read and accessible text that will act as an introduction for those wanting to learn more about our founding document or a refresh for those wanting a pithy reference guide to keep close to hand.
Testimonials
“Roimata came and presented to our first-year physiotherapy students. Even with a large group, the session was engaging and interactive. The students and staff all got a lot out of it – many students reflected that while they had learnt a bit about Te Tiriti o Waitangi at school, this was the first time they really understood its significance.”
Auckland University of Technology, Physiotherapy Department - Nicola Jepson
“I was worried at the beginning that I would get too much information all at once. However I really liked the approach, of being included, the interactive part was great and it didn’t feel like a bombardment of information.”
Ohomairangi Trust
“Thanks so much for your energy, enthusiasm and advice in presenting at our Hui recently. You reminded us how important it is for organisations to undertake this type of training. I congratulate you on making a challenging topic so interesting and relevant to our group - it was greatly appreciated.”
Halberg Foundation, Chief Executive - Shelley McMeeken
"It seemed everyone learnt so much. The feedback has been very positive and people expressing a range of emotions in regards how they felt. They were very complimentary about the session and your style."
New Zealand Olympic Committee, Chief Executive Officer - Kereyn Smith
