A District Court hearing held at a Far North marae is being described as a stepping stone towards incorporating Maori culture into the New Zealand legal system.

Community worker, Patau Tepania was discharged without conviction at Ahipara's Roma Marae last week for filing his fishery paperwork late.

Roma Marae Committee Member, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn says the hearing seemed more appropriate at the marae rather than Kaitaia Court House.

"Many of our people feel that's quite a cold and alien environment, and psychologically you want people to feel safe, secure, in a familiar environment because that's about encouraging them to share the stories and their evidence," she says.