2024 Norris Ward McKinnon Lecture
'The Common Law of Tikanga - ngā tohu o te ture' by Justice Whata
In this lecture, Justice Whata will re-examine the leading authorities on tikanga from across the benches to address the claim that tikanga recognition is destabilising the law. He will respond to claims of tikanga's uncertainty and irreconcilability with common law fundamentals. In so doing, he will also consider the issues of what when and how tikanga claims should be litigated. He will describe the common law’s tohu or signposts for engagement with tikanga that provide both the markers for stability and ultimately for safe and effective tikanga advocacy in the Courts.
The Norris Ward McKinnon public lecture by Justice Whata
The Annual Norris Ward McKinnon public lectures
Te Piringa – Faculty of Law, Politics and Philosophy is delighted to continue its collaboration with Norris Ward McKinnon hosting this public event.
Designed as an annual event, the lecture series began as a way to address issues relating to the development of jurisprudence in New Zealand.
Now running for over 27 years, the Annual Norris Ward McKinnon Public Lecture brings distinguished scholars and members of the profession to the Waikato campus. This series has attracted national attention for its roster of speakers selected from New Zealand’s leading experts in the field of jurisprudence, NZ law and policy, and social justice. Over the years, distinguished guest speakers included Dame Sian Elias, Hon. Justice Baragwanath, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Dame Sylvia Cartwright and many others.
The series helped to foster the relationship between the Hamilton Legal profession, the Hamilton law society, and Te Piringa – Faculty of Law, Politics and Philosophy.
The lecture is traditionally the lead article in Waikato Law Review.
Norris Ward McKinnon is a full service legal firm with nearly 100 years of history and expertise in the Waikato region. The firm celebrated its centenary in 2019 and prides itself on looking after clients with professionalism and respect, offering clients specialist legal expertise backed by experience.
Past events
2023 – 'How emerging technology will impact on the profession'
Michael Heron KC presented the 2023 Norris Ward McKinnon lecture 'How emerging technology will impact on the profession'. In this lecture he discussed the digital transformation of the Court system and considers the issues arising from the emerging technologies.
Michael Heron KC is a leading KC in commercial and regulatory litigation. His focus is on matters involving all arms of Government and its regulators; conducting independent inquiries, reviews and investigations (and providing advice on them); and sporting matters.
Michael was formerly New Zealand's Solicitor General, CEO of the Crown Law Office and responsible for advice to all arms of government. He is also the National Commissioner for New Zealand Cricket, a judicial officer for New Zealand Rugby and SANZAAR, and a mediation panel member for Immediation's Sport NZ.
2022 – 'Te Ao Mārama: It's a Matter of Fairness' Being seen, heard, understood and participating in the criminal justice system’
Judge John Walker explored "Te Ao Mārama: It's a Matter of Fairness," the transformative vision for the District Court. He examined the principles of procedural fairness and legitimacy that underpin Te Ao Mārama and what it means for all participants – defendants, victims, and community members – to be truly seen, heard, and understood within the criminal justice system. Drawing on his experience as Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge Walker traced the evolution of the Youth Court and its influence on Te Ao Mārama's development.
Watch the presentation of the lecture Te Ao Mārama: It's a Matter of Fairness on YouTube.
2020 - Improving Access to Justice
Chief District Court Judge Taumaunu discussed the importance of improving accessibility to the justice system in New Zealand. In this lecture, Chief Judge Taumaunu shared his thoughts on the modern-day pursuit of Te Ao Mārama as it relates to the way forward for New Zealand’s District Court; a place where all New Zealanders should feel that they can come to seek justice, and be heard and understood.
Watch presentation of lecture Improving Access to Justice on YouTube.
2019 - The Challenge of the Treaty for Lawyers and Judges: 25 years on
Judge O'Regan discussed two significant legal events in the Waikato. These two events were Cooke P’s lecture of 1994 on “The Challenge of Treaty of Waitangi Jurisprudence,” and the signing of the Crown/Waikato-Tainui Heads of Agreement on 21 December 1994. These events were momentous, as they were the prelude to the signing of the Deed of Settlement in 1995, which settled the Raupatu claim and was the first tribal settlement.
His lecture was based on his personal experiences as a lawyer acting for the Crown in Treaty settlements (notably, in the present context, the Waikato-Tainui settlement in 1995), and as a Judge dealing with litigation arising from disputes about Treaty settlements. He discussed some of the successes, failures and issues of the last 25 years based on his involvement, and examining significant cases.
2018 - Aiming at Simplicity
It may not be apparent to those inside the legal tent, but law is complicated. This is obvious to the public who have to make sense of what lawyers say. The legal world also pays a great price. At best, hacking their way through unnecessary complexity wastes time and money. At worst, it can derail the whole attempt to think clearly.
Simple concepts promote lucid reasoning. Simple language is more readily understood. It is up to everyone in the legal community - judges, advocates, solicitors, lecturers and textbook writers – to do better. The Hon Robert Fisher shared his insights and offered some ideas how to go about making it simpler.
2017 - The Future of the Adversarial Process - Evolution or Death?
A special panel discussion facilitated by Phillip Morgan QC explored the pros and cons of the adversarial process as encountered by the panelists and discussed the skill-set required of lawyers to perform effectively in the Judicial System, now and in the future.
2016 - Has New Zealand Criminal Justice System Been Compromised?
Long-serving judge Hon Sir Ron Young says the right to a fair trial in New Zealand is being undermined in a variety of ways.
Watch the presentation of the lecture has New Zealand Criminal Justice System Been Compromised? on Panopto.
2015 - The Vision and the Reality
Judge MacLean draws on his 35 years of experience as a Coroner reflected on Coronial death investigation 15 years after the August 2000 Law Commission report “Coroners".
Watch the presentation of the lecture the Vision and the Reality on YouTube.
2014 - Law Making in New Zealand: Is There a Better Way?
The former prime minister and president of the Law Commission has looked at aspects of law-making from a number of perspectives; as an academic, legal practitioner and politician. He said New Zealand law-making system needs urgent attention.
Watch the presentation of the lecture Law Making in New Zealand: Is There a Better Way? on YouTube.
2013 - Lex Aotearoa: An Heroic Attempt to Map the Maori Dimension in Modern New Zealand Law
by Hon. Justice Joseph Williams
Watch the presentation of the lecture Lex Aotearoa: An Heroic Attempt to Map the Māori Dimension in Modern New Zealand Law on YouTube.
2012 - Restorative Justice: Lessons from the Past, Pointers and the Future
by Judge Sir David Carruthers
Watch the presentation of the lecture Restorative Justice: Lessons from the Past, Pointers and the Future on Apple iTunes.
2011 - Fundamentals: A Constitutional Conversation
by Rt. Hon. Dame Sian Elias
2010 - From Privy Council to Supreme Court: A Rite of Passage for New Zealand’s Legal System
by Professor Margaret Wilson, DCNZM
2009- Chipping Away at the Judicial Arm?
by Hon. Justice John Priestley
2008 - Hard Cases and Bad Law
Hon. Justice Paul Heath
2007 - The Evolution of Treaty Jurisprudence
by Hon. Justice Baragwanath
2006 - The New Miscarriages of Justice
by Hon. Justice Grant Hammond
2005 - Approaches to Business Rehabilitation
by Hon. Justice Blanchard
2004 - The Appearance of Justice
by Hon. Justice Noel Anderson
2003 - Statutes and the Ordinary Person
by John F Burrows
2002 - Journalistic Responsibility, Freedom of Speech and Protection of Reputation - Striking the Right Balance Between Citizens and the Media
by Rt. Hon. Justice Tipping
2001 - Some Human Rights Issues
by Hon. Dame Sylvia Cartwright
2000 - The Conscience of the Law
by Rt. Hon. Justice Thomas
1999 - The Crown, the Parliament and the Government
by John McGrath QC
1998 - The Impact of International Law on New Zealand Law
by Rt. Hon. Sir Kenneth Keith
1997 - Continuity and Change: The 1996 General Election and the Role of the Governor-General
by Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys
1996 - "Hard Look" and the Judicial Function
by Sian Elias
1995 - Public Interest Litigation
by Rt. Hon. Sir Ivor Richardson
1994 - The Challenge of Treaty of Waitangi Jurisprudence
by Rt .Hon. Sir Robin Cooke
1993 - The New Zealand Court Structure, Past Present and Future
by Sir Thomas Eichelbaum
1992 - The Development of a New Zealand Jurisprudence
by Hon Justice Gault