The Maori Land Court has sent a strong message to a claimant after he lost a case against a large rural Maori business in Taranaki.
It's instructed a Ngati Tu Whenua Hapu Trust member, Hori Manuirirangi, to pay legal costs to Parininihi Ki Waitotara Incorporation.
The court said if Mr Manuirirangi had sought legal advice, it might have saved him from pursuing a claim that simply could not succeed.
Judge Harvey said while the applicant's motivation was understandable, the claim never had any prospect of success.
He said where litigants sought recourse, as they were entitled, they must expect legal consequences.
Judge Harvey said it was untenable to expect a party to have to pay to defend what he called an unmeritorious application.
The court has ordered Hori Manuirirangi to pay $3000 towards costs incurred by Parininihi Ki Waitotara Incorporation.
