Members of the Tribunal who are retired District Court judges or have at least seven years' standing as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand may preside over Tribunal inquiries. Judges of the Maori Land Court, while not members of the Tribunal, may also preside over an inquiry. As a qualified solicitor, the registrar also provides legal advice to the Tribunal and advises Tribunal staff and members on procedural issues. Research officers undertake claims research in preparation for Tribunal hearings and may be called on to give evidence before the Tribunal. They also undertake the role of claims facilitator for district inquiries, coordinating the research for the casebook and working with commissioned researchers, claimants, and claims administrators to ensure deadlines and standards are met in preparation for hearings.
Most researchers are history graduates.
Claims administrators are responsible for supporting Tribunal inquiries. They ensure that all the necessary documentation required by the parties has been filed and distributed, they arrange for the advertising of upcoming hearings, and they manage the running of the hearings, which includes such duties as organising transport for members, hiring and setting up the venue, setting the agenda, and overseeing the audio and visual recording of Tribunal fixtures.