Tribunal members
The Waitangi Tribunal has up to 20 members. They are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Māori Development. Members come from all walks of life and are appointed for their expertise in the matters that are likely to come before them. About half the members are Māori and half are Pākehā.
The Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal is Chief Judge Dr Caren Fox of the Māori Land Court. Other judges of the Māori Land Court, while not members of the Waitangi Tribunal, can be appointed as a presiding officer for a Tribunal panel.
A panel of three to seven members is appointed to carry out an inquiry. Each Tribunal panel has to have at least one Māori member.