A lobby group is calling for Government-funded research to be carried out into the way Maori are treated in court.
Rethinking Crime and Punishment recently told Te Manu Korihi there is mounting anecdotal evidence of Maori representing themselves in court because they cannot afford a lawyer.
The group's spokesperson Kim Workman says a study needs to be done on what appears to be limited access to justice.
He says state-funded research could establish how many people appearing before the court are granted bail, what percentage of bail requests are opposed by the police, and how many have legal representation in comparison to non-Maori.
Mr Workman says gathering more information will lead to a better understanding of what is happening.
