An appeal of the High Court's decision to overturn the Waitangi Tribunal summons of the Children's Minister has been lodged.

It ruled Karen Chhour could not be compelled to appear before the Tribunal over her plans to repeal part of the Oranga Tamariki Act.

Constitutional law expert Andrew Geddis told Andrew Dickens that the Waitangi Tribunal does have the power to summon a minister.

He says the court said on this occasion, the reasons why the minister was being summoned and evidence she could provide wasn't enough to justify using that power.

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