The Government has appointed Bill Hasting to head the newly created Immigration and Protection Tribunal in the rank of a District Judge.
Mr Hasting, currently the Chief Censor, will take up the new assignment on July 1.
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said the new Tribunal would replace four existing panels related to immigration. They are the Refugee Status Appeals Authority, the Removal Review Authority, the Residence Review Board and the Deportation Review Tribunal.
“The new Tribunal, established in terms of the Immigration Act 2009, must be headed by a District Judge,” he said.
Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said the Tribunal had a critical role to play in fulfilling New Zealand’s international humanitarian obligations.
“It will maintain and build on the strong reputation of the existing appeal bodies,” he said.
Canada born Mr Hastings was previously Senior Lecturer in Law, Deputy Dean of Law and a Member of the Governing Council at the Wellington based Victoria University.
