Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Lecture

This lecture commemorates the life of distinguished judge Sir Owen Woodhouse.

Sir Owen Woodhouse's compassion, generosity of spirit and social conscience were reflected in his work as President of the Court of Appeal, President of the Law Commission, and Chairman of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Injury that recommended a no-fault accident compensation scheme and laid the foundations for ACC. He made an immense contribution to New Zealand’s law and society.

The Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Lecture will be held annually, with the intention that it be given by a New Zealander and an international visitor in turn.

Past Woodhouse lectures have been given by:

2022 - Professor Geoff McLay: "Sir Owen Woodhouse and the making of New Zealand Law" - watch here
2019 - Susan St. John, CNZM, QSO: "Reflections on the Woodhouse Legacy for the 21st Century" - watch here
2018 - The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer, KCMG, AC, QC: "A Retrospective on the Woodhouse Report—the vision, the performance and the future"
2017 - The Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith, ONZ, KBE: "Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety—promoting safety through national and international law" - watch here

Your support

Give to the Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Fellowship and associated lectures, and honour Sir Owen's contribution to social justice in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can make a single or regular gift online by credit card.

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