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TESTIMONIALS

GENERAL

"I have known Judith Pryor for 10 years. In my role as Kaiwhakarite in the Ahi Kaa team at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, I worked closely with Judith for five years.  During this time, we worked together on several projects that focused on the relationship between Māori and the Crown, including the promotion of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People (UNDRIP), the Commission’s response to the Foreshore and Seabed Act review, and the Commission’s engagement with the 2013 constitutional review, among others. 


The great thing about Judith is that she is willing to learn new things and she listens. She works hard to understand diverse views, and attends carefully to the positions of tangata whenua. The policy work she produces in response is outstanding: it is written well and shows a real understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and indigenous rights. 


Along with other staff, she played a leading role in supporting the Commission to build its capability and work towards becoming a Te Tiriti-based organisation. In all her work, I was impressed by her dedication, ability to take the initiative, and to reliably deliver what was needed. 


Since we worked together at the Commission, we have remained in contact and I was pleased to see that she accepted the Minister of Māori Affairs’ invitation to join the technical working group to provide advice on the development of an action plan to implement UNDRIP in 2019.  


Judith is a very skilled mentor who takes time to help new staff learn the craft of writing and research. She is also a very good communicator, in both the oral and written form. She is trustworthy. If she says she will do something, she does it to a high standard. I have no hesitation in highly recommending her for your next project."


Te Huia Bill Hamilton

Kaiwhakahaere, Pou Tikanga, National Iwi Chairs Forum

POLICY AND CAPABILITY

'Judith was the Principal Advisor in my Access to Justice policy team. Judith has considerable engagement, research and writing skills. The advice she produced for the Minister on diverse access to justice issues has stood the test of time, and we still refer to those documents today. One in particular was assessed as outstanding, the distinctive voice and confident advice made it a compelling read along with strong purpose, history and clear actions for the Minister and brilliantly anticipated next steps. 


Judith was also instrumental in increasing the capability of policy group in Treaty of Waitangi analysis of our policy projects and in our thinking about the Crown Māori relationship. Judith designed and implemented our training programme and revolutionised the thinking and approach of policy group in this area. Without her knowledge and interest, drive and determination, we wouldn’t be where we are now.  Judith’s considerable skills were recognised by her appointment to the Working Group advising te Minita Whanaketanga Māori on a plan to progress the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 


I have learned a lot from Judith. If you are wanting high quality, well thought out work, written beautifully, then I recommend Judith to you.'

Robyn Washbourne 

Policy Manager, Access to Justice, Ministry of Justice Policy Group

RESEARCH AND WRITING

'Te Kooti Whenua Māori, the Māori Land Court, had its 150th anniversary in 2015. Judith was engaged to lead the project to commemorate the history, people, and judiciary that have all contributed to the work of the Court. Judith's efforts were outstanding: the way in which she engaged with the people featured in the book, her attention to detail, her written word and research skills, were just what was needed to successfully complete such an important project. Judith captured the essence of the Court and its people in this beautiful book.'

Julia Marino

Operations Manager, Senior Courts, Ministry of Justice (formerly at Te Kooti Whenua Māori, the Māori Land Court)

POLICY

"I was Race Relations Commissioner in the Human Rights Commission from 2002-2013 and Judith, in her role as Senior Policy Analyst (Race Relations) was my principal policy advisor from 2009 until the end of my term. She was an outstanding policy analyst, applying her wide knowledge, strong analytical and clear writing skills to some very complex issues, including for example developing an appropriate response to the government review of the Foreshore and Seabed legislation, the constitutional review, Māori representation in local government, structural discrimination in public services and the Treaty of Waitangi and human rights. She effectively managed a wide range of relationships within and outside the Commission and coordinated our language policy network. She project managed and helped to write our annual Race Relations Report. She has a commitment to high quality in her work. Her skills and experience are particularly relevant as public sector organisations face the challenges of giving contemporary effect to the Treaty of Waitangi, addressing structural discrimination and reflecting and serving an increasingly diverse population."

Joris de Bres

Former Race Relations Commissioner

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