Title | Author | Director | Genre | Year | Useful-ness | Themes | Summary | References | Publisher | Original Year |
| "1840 The Treaty" in Voices | Stead, C.K. | | Poetry | 1990 | 2 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Land issues | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law and religion | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | | History of the Treaty from different perspectives eg. "The Settler".
Maori contempt of the Treaty. Pakeha ignorance of Maori customs. Crown pre-emption Article 2- Pakeha religion dominating Maori custom. | pp 12-15 | G.P. Books, Wellington | |
| 1951 | Smith, Peter A | | Novel | 2003 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | Court procedure | Public/ admin law | Law students | Legal history | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Law as a tool of oppression | Law as a vehicle to effect change | routine of court procedure | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | role of the media | Individual rights vs public safety | Politics and law | Obstructive nature of government | Importance of due process | | About the 1951 waterfront workers strike.
Bush lawyer- Arbitration court- Alternative dispute resolution- Government imposing draconian laws - Breach of natural justice- Freedom of speech- Civil liberties- Lawyer saving the day- Industrial law | pp 22-23, 52-53, 104-105, 114-119, 124-131, 232-233, 236-237, 272-273 | David Ling Publishing, Auckland | |
| "A Ballad of the Deep South" in The Eye of King Cat | Martin, John | | Poetry | 1992 | 3 | Perceptions of judges | Legal history | Importance of jury | Sentencing issues | Common man facing the law | Cause celebre trials | Man alone on the run from the law | Injustice | | Poem based on McNeish's novel about Jock Mackenzie | pp 35-37 | Jaybee Press, Auckland | |
| "a nearly fifty year old woman to another" in The Pohutukawa-Beringen Tree | Marshall, Theresia Liemlienio | | Poetry | 1993 | 3 | Legal ramifications of divorce | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Perceptions of judges | Injustice | Law as a tool of oppression | Marriage break-up.
Husbands coming out of marriage break-ups in a stronger position than wives. Old boys network. | pp 58-59 | Griffin Press, Auckland | |
| A Red Silk Sea | Ranstead, Gillian | | Novel | 2005 | 5 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law students | Law school | Law as route to power | | Features a law student character.
Emphasis of case law in legal studies. Large amount of reading for legal studies. | pp 82, 322 | Penguin, Auckland | |
| "A Rope for Harry Fat" in J E Weir (ed) Collected Poems: James K Baxter | Baxter, James K | | Poetry | 1979 | 2 | Law and religion | Perceptions of judges | Personification of 'The law' | Youth and law | Judge as God | Use of violence by legal system | Mercy | Importance of jury | | A young man is about to be hanged.
Personification of legal concepts (ie. Mercy, Justice) | pp 163-164 | Oxford University Press, Wellington | |
| Absent without Leave | Edwards, James with Tetley, Graeme | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1993 | 4 | Law as a tool of oppression | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Man alone on the run from the law | | A soldier goes AWOL and deserts. He is found, charged and court marshalled under the Army Act. | | Meridian Film Productions, in association with the NZ Film Commission, NZ on Air and Avalon NFU Studios | |
| Among the Cinders | Haedrich, Rolf, O'Shea, John (from the book by Shadbolt, Maurice) | Haedrich, Rolf | Feature Film | 1987 | 4 | Legal history | Ignorance of the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Conducting own defence | Common man facing the law | Man alone on the run from the law | | Friendship between Pakeha boy, Nick, and Maori boy, Sam. They go hunting together, Nick breaks tapu and Sam has an accident and dies soon after. Nick goes to live with grandparents. Grandfather is a bush lawyer, always fighting a court case. Grandmother dies and Nick and grandfather go bush, eventually discovered by police and return to 'civilisation'. | 13, 37, 100 mins | Pacific Films | |
| Among the Cinders | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1965 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal history | role of the media | Common man facing the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | | About a man's grandfather who is a bush lawyer.
Use of English legal history eg. Magna Carta. | pp 3, 69-70, 110-112, 115, 293 | Whitcombe & Tombs, Auckland | |
| Ao Toa Earth Warriors | Dunsford, Cathie | | Novel | 2004 | 2 | Elitism of the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | Politics and law | role of the media | Tino rangatiratanga | | Eco-thriller, about genetic engineering. Focuses on the policy process and political intrigue from a Maori perspective.
Excerpt from a parliamentary debate. | 10, 45, 47-48, 58-59, 61-62, 76, 83-84, 124-126, 128, 149-152, 157, 220, 247-248 | Spinifex Press, Melbourne | |
| "Aperahama to Ngapuhi 1863" in Atua Wera | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1997 | 4 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Law and religion | | Papahurihia movement. | p 182 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| "Apnoea" in Hui | Glover, Marewa | | Poetry | 2001 | 3 | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Hypocrisy of law | Law as a tool of oppression | | Native Health Act 1909 author uses another statute (mistake in law) which forbade Maori women from breastfeeding their babies | p 24 | Marewa Glover, Auckland | |
| "April 1870, At Onoke" in Atua Wera | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1997 | 4 | Law and religion | Judge as God | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Legal history | | Papahurihia movement.
"Chief Justice is a prophet" cf Judge as God. | p 193 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| "Assassin Bug, The" in It Could Be You | McCauley, Sue | | Short Story | 1997 | 5 | Legal ramifications of divorce | Importance of advocacy | role of the media | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | | Domestic situation where a woman is trying to leave husband | pp 172, 178-180, 184, 194 | Vintage, Auckland | |
| "Attack on Rangiaowhia, The" in Selected Poems | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1989 | 4 | Legal history | racism of the law | | 1864 British attack on a peaceful Maori township in the south Waikato | p 58 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| Awful Childhoods | Macrae, Ann | | Novel | 1988 | 1 | Speed of justice | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Elitism of the law | Law and religion | Separation of powers | Contract law | Court procedure | Perceptions of judges | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Perceptions of lawyers | Use of law to discover truth | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Youth and law | Natural law | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Corruption in the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Witnesses | | About a women fighting for a child to get his paternity and inheritance recognised. Extended trial scene.
Excitement of cross examination. Long drawn out legal process. Solemn atmosphere of court. Difficulty of finding the truth in court. Criminal sanction as deterrent. Court unaccepting of outsiders. Dishonesty in the legal system eg swearing false affidavits. Lack of certainty in the law. "Only the rich or the trendy get justice...for the rest of us there's the law". Justice as an idealised concept. Lack of trust in lawyers. God's justice compared with legal justice. Marriage being laws ways of subjugating women. Judicial independence in NZ. Legal realism. Influence of social standards on judicial decision making. Court as a church metaphor "church of justice". | pp 40-41, 47, 92-97, 122-124, 126-7, 135, 137, 142-148, 154-156, 167-89, 194-96, 204. | Hodder Stoughton, Auckland | |
| Awhi Tapu | Belz, Albert | | Play | 2006 | 5 | role of the media | Court procedure | Confessions | | Small township in the Ureweras. In this particular scene one character is sent to court and pleads guilty to arson and manslaughter. | p 63 | The Play Press, Wellington | |
| Bad Blood | Brown, Andrew based on the novel by Willis, Howard | Newell, Mike | Feature Film | 1981 | 2 | Law as a tool of oppression | Importance of due process | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Common man facing the law | Frustration with the legal system | Use of violence by legal system | Absence of law | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Coercive power of the law | Individual rights vs public safety | Man alone on the run from the law | | Based on the true story of a twelve day manhunt on the West Coast of the South Island. Stanley Graham, a local farmer is in danger of losing his farm and becomes increasingly paranoid, has his fire arms confiscated, then later shoots and kills seven police officers.
Duty of law enforcement officers to enforce the law. Law versus violence as the means to resolve disputes. | 15, 29, 32, 36, 38, 43, 46, 62, 65 mins | Southern Pictures | |
| "Beak, The" in You're Very Seductive William Carlos Williams | Smither, Elizabeth | | Poetry | 1978 | 2 | The way lawyers view the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | routine of court procedure | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | | Description of a judge (unassuming) - Jury trial - cf Philip Wilson 'The Jury' | p 14 | John McIndoe, Dunedin | |
| Beyond Reasonable Doubt | Yallop, David (based on his book 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt') | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1980 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Distrust of the legal system | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Court procedure | Injustice | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Common man facing the law | Frustration with the legal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | Witnesses | Importance of due process | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of judges | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Obstructive nature of government | Legal jargon | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | Manipulation of court system and jury | routine of court procedure | Cause celebre trials | | Details the trial of Arthur Allan Thomas during the 1970s. Focuses on the police investigation and the framing of Thomas by the Chief Investigator Buce Hutton. Pays close attention to the facts of the case and the controversial nature of the evidence eg. the murder bullet. Extensive court room scenes both the original trial and the retrial. Last ten minutes of the movie presented in documentary voice over style. Features a number of leading NZ legal figures eg. Kevin Ryan, David Baragwanath. | 1,3, 13, 14, 15, 20, 39, 42, 50, 52, 53, 55, 58, 60, 65, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75, 77, 80, 85, 98 mins | Endeavour Productions | |
| Black Sheep | King, Jonathan | King, Jonathan | Feature Film | 2006 | 5 | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Contract law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | | Henry returns home after his father dies, looking to sell his share of the property to his older brother, Angus. Angus is secretly genetically engineering sheep. They draw up a contract.
Interpreting a will. | 10, 14, 31, 34, 39 mins | Livestock Films | |
| "Box/Role/Dream" in Vivienne Plumb (ed) Red Light means Stop: Six Super Solos from Aotearoa New Zealand | Chanwau-Earle, Lynda | | Play | 2003 | 5 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Youth and law | Law as a tool of oppression | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Tino rangatiratanga | | About a Maori man recalling his life in a borstal. Refers to a treaty preceding the Treaty of Waitangi which confers to his people specific rights. He wants to make the story of the treaty into a movie (showed it to Lee Tamahori). | p 45-49, 58 | The Women's Play Press, Wellington | |
| Brief Lives | Price, Chris | | Mixed genre | 2006 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of due process | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Victim's rights | Sentencing issues | routine of court procedure | | Absurdist murder trial (p102). Eclectic work.
Popular perception of lawyers working hard and absorbed in/ obsessed with the job. Insanity defence as a way to get off murder. | pp 67,69, 72, 93-94, 102-103, 138 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| Broken Arse | Stewart, Bruce | | Play | 1991 | 5 | role of the media | Coercive power of the law | | Set in gaol, reference to a statute.
Using the Press to influence decisions. | pp 10, 42 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies | Ihimaera, Witi | | Novel | 1994 | 1 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | racism of the law | Importance of jury | Perceptions of judges | Elitism of the law | Law as a tool of oppression | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Appearance of courtroom | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law as a tool of oppression | | Novel set in small Maori community. About the rivalry between two Maori families which spans the 20th century.
The formality and officiousness of the court alienating Maori cf court scene in "Once Were Warriors". Culturally insensitive jury. Elite English manner of the legal profession. Trial as a spectacle. Judge as a hunter (gavel cf gun shot, conviction cf deer antlers): a hunting metaphor. Court as a vehicle for discrimination. | pp 185-191 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Cemetery Lake | Cleave, Paul | | Novel | 2008 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Court procedure | Importance of due process | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Vigilantism as justice | Importance of advocacy | role of the media | Law and popular culture | Witnesses | Sentencing issues | | Set in Christchurch about a detective in Christchurch who enters into a downward spiral after an accident with a drunk driver destroys his family. He is later charged with drink driving and severely injuring the daughter of his lawyer. His lawyer seeks revenge. Tate is arrested and asks for a lawyer. Lawyer character Donovan Green plays a large role in the plot.
The more expensive the lawyer the better the lawyer. Lethal nature of cross-examination. Inferior nature of court appointed lawyers. Lawyer shoots client with a taser cf. Denny Crane in Boston Legal. Inaccessibility of legal documents to lay people. | pp 116, 138, 156-8, 195-6,212-4, 270-1, 276-8 | Random House, Auckland | |
| "change is necessary" in Stones in Her Mouth | Potiki, Roma | | Poetry | 1992 | 4 | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Politics and law | Legal history | Treaty criticism/ issues | | The necessity of change in the NZ legal and political system especially in relation to justice for Maori. | pp 34 | IWA Associates, Auckland | |
| "Changes" in Stay at the Dinner Party | McAlpine, Rachel | | Poetry | 1977 | 4 | routine of court procedure | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Law as ineffective | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Legal jargon | Politics and law | | Person approaching the legal system | | Caveman Press, Dunedin | |
| "Chaos Sonata" in February Journey | Richards, Mark | | Poetry | 1991 | 4 | Law and religion | Perceptions of judges | Natural law | | Judge trying to maintain order amongst chaos. | pp 20-21 | Pendragon Press, Waiheke Island | |
| "Cheek" in Wild Dogs Under My Skirt | Avia, Tusiata | | Poetry | 2004 | 4 | Absence of law | Violence against women | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | | Domestic Violence | p 45 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Children of the Poor | Lee, John A | | Novel | 1973 | 1 | Youth and law | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Criminal stigma | Corruption in the legal system | Importance of advocacy | Personification of 'The Law' | Appearance of courtroom | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Law and religion | Law as entertainment/ drama | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | | Novel about a juvenile delinquent, brought up in poverty, whose life spirals out of control, and is taken to court.
Cycle of poverty. Manipulation of the law by the wealthy. Law during the depression. | pp 220-255 | Reprint Whitcombe and Tumbs, 1973 | 1934 |
| Children of the Poor | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1990 | 2 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Law and religion | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | routine of court procedure | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sentencing issues | Youth and law | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Criminal stigma | | Same storyline as novel as famous NZ novel by John A Lee.
(See Lee reference in database). | pp 82-98 | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| Coal Flat | Pearson, Bill | | Novel | 1963 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law and religion | Court procedure | Cause celebre trials | Conducting own defence | Law as entertainment/ drama | Perceptions of judges | role of the media | Youth and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Natural law | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Use of law to discover truth | Importance of advocacy | Ethics | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Witnesses | Importance of jury | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | To do with a trial on the West Coast - A man has been accused of sexually abusing a student - He is a teacher - He is innocent and is found not guilty.
Lawyer's obligation to accept client. Examination in chief. Cross examination. Innocent man "gets off". | pp 323-326, 328-344, 346-353, 397-401, 409-410 | Paul's Book Arcade, Auckland | |
| Coaltown Blues | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1986 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | Individual rights vs public safety | Politics and law | | Coal mining - Workers rights in the 1930s | pp 8, 15, 38 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Come the Harvest | Lawson, Patricia | | Novel | 2007 | 5 | Legal history | Individual rights vs public safety | Coercive power of the law | | The law relating to conscientious objectors during World War II. Law relating to conscription in New Zealand | | Whare-iti Press, Otago | |
| "Confirmation, The" in Tama and other stories | Stewart, Bruce | | Short Story | 1989 | 5 | Perceptions of judges | racism of the law | | A student dreaming about George Grey and Judge Manning. | pp 70-75 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| "Court" in Open Road Poems | Mehlhopt, Raymond | | Poetry | 1988 | 3 | Devastation from child custody cases | Law as a game | Perceptions of judges | Legal ramifications of divorce | Frustration with the legal system | | Domestic dispute between father and his sister-in-law.
Family Court bias against fathers. | pp 16-17 | Seagull Press, Christchurch | |
| "Court Reporter, The" in The Newspaper Poems | Langston, Richard | | Poetry | 2007 | 5 | role of the media | | Poem about a court reporter
Reporter making law interesting and dramatic for public consumption "The tedious hours of evidence turned into a potboiler". | p 31 | Fitzbeck Publishing, Wellington | |
| Crime Story | Gee, Maurice | | Novel | 1994 | 3 | role of the media | Appearance of courtroom | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Perceptions of lawyers | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | | Fairly detailed court description- Man attends his son's trial to support him (for theft)
Invasiveness of the media to victims and their families. Lawyers as predators/ fish ("lawyers like barracuda cruising the reef"). | pp 140-164 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Crooked Earth | McGee, Greg, Shortland, Waihoroi | Pillsbury, Sam | Feature Film | 2000 | 1 | Absence of law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Treaty criticism/ issues | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Land issues | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Law as a tool of oppression | Frustration with the legal system | | Set against the background of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement for foresty rights on the East Coast of the North Island. A drug dealing gang reject the treaty settlement and try to create their own Maori revolution using violence. Law is powerless to intervene and eventually the dispute is resolved through violence, Maori against Maori. Specific representation of the Treaty Settlement process (at 43 mins). Specific reference to Treaty Settlements eg. Ngai Tahu (at 54 mins). Treaty Settlement process seen through Maori perspective. | 1, 20, 27, 31, 34, 40, 43, 54,56, 62, 93, 101 mins | Communicado in association with NZFC | |
| Dangerous Orphans | Smith, Kevin | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1986 | 5 | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | role of police in the criminal justice system | Vigilantism as justice | | Three friends and orphans avenge the death of their father. They eventually get revenge on the killer by planting drugs on him. The killer is shot in a drug raid by the police.
Crooked lawyers disbarred. | 49, 55, 74 mins | Cinepro in association with the NZ Film Commission | |
| Daughters of Heaven | Forster, Michelanne | | Play | 1992 | 1 | role of the media | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Court procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Ethics | Importance of advocacy | Law as a game | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Natural law | Use of law to discover truth | Witnesses | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Necessity of confessions | Cause celebre trials | | About the infamous trial of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, who murdered Juliet's mother in 1954. Scene 12= cross examination of Juliet's mother by the Crown Prosecutor. Cross examination of expert witnesses.
Role of media in swaying jury. "Objectivity of British Justice". Courtroom as a dramatic structure setting the context for each flashback scene. Insanity defence. Law and morlaity "I know we've broken the law, but morally we are without fault". Rule of law- all are equal under the law. Judge's prejudiced against homosexuality. Criminal standard of proof- beyond reasonable doubt. Immutability of the law "But the law is the law. Like God is God. You can't remake the universe to suit yourself. The universe is, and you fit into it". | pp 7, 10-11, 17-19, 27, 30, 34, 39, 49-50, 53-5, 60, 63, 65, 67, 70-80 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Dedicated to Fathers with LLB's and PHD's and Mothers with DPB's and Children" in The Third Myth | McPherson, Heather | | Poetry | 1986 | 5 | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Legal ramifications of divorce | | Details the reality of poverty and implies it affects women after a separation more than men. | pp 84-86 | Tauranga Moana Press, Tauranga | |
| "Deposition" in The Dwarf and the Stripper | Sinclair, Stephen | | Poetry | 2003 | 4 | Sentencing issues | Legal history | routine of court procedure | Law in literature within law in literature | Law as a tool of oppression | | Poem subjected to judgment, like a depositions hearing.
Law as the friend of some and enemy of others. | p 7 | Addenda Ltd, Auckland | |
| "Diary of an Alcoholic, The" in The Sorrow of Genghis Kahn | Kang, Jye | | Short Story | 1991 | 4 | Importance of advocacy | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | routine of court procedure | | About an alcoholic who gets arrested for trying to take a half-filled jug from the pub - S42 discharge - Court scene | pp 38-46 | Ngare Press, Palmerston North | |
| "Dissolution" in Plunge | Ricketts, Harry | | Poetry | 2001 | 3 | Legal history | Law and popular culture | Law in literature within law in literature | Perceptions of law firms | Legal ramifications of divorce | Perceptions of judges | | Divorce proceedings.
Pop culture eg. Perry Mason. | p 10 | Pemmican Press, Wellington | |
| "Dove on the Waters" in "Oh to be a writer, a real writer!": winners of the Katherine Mansfield short story award, 1959-1999 | Shadbolt, Maurice in ?? | | Short Story | 1999 | 3 | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Public vs private life of lawyers | Perceptions of lawyers | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | | The law provides a context for this work - Walter Dove is an old-fashioned lawyer, an impressive literary character of the early 20th century - He is unhappy in his marriage and is secretly in love with his secretary - He pretends to sail around the world.
Lawyer's wives. | pp 27-49 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Dove on the Waters | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1996 | 3 | Perceptions of lawyers | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Witnesses | racism of the law | Cliche Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | Corruption in the legal system | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Speed of justice | Sentencing issues | | A lawyer pretends to sail around the world, but actually anchors in an isolated part of water and lives on his boat. Series of different stories united by narrator.
Dodgy lawyers. | pp 11, 115, 139, 170-171 | David Ling Publishing, Auckland | |
| Dream Swimmer, The | Ihimaera, Witi | | Novel | 1997 | 2 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Law and religion | Perceptions of judges | Arrest procedure | Legal history | Law school | racism of the law | Importance of jury | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Access to justice | | The trial of Rua Kenena - Luke Donnolly case (effectively non-fiction) - Young Maori at Law school, has an argument with the lecturer about the way the legal system exploits Maori | pp 144-403 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Drybread: A Novel | Marshall, Owen | | Novel | | 3 | Perceptions of lawyers | routine of court procedure | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Comparative law | Legal ramifications of divorce | Alienation from the legal system- costs | Man alone on the run from the law | Perceptions of law firms | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | role of the media | | About a woman who is involved in a custody dispute with the American father and is hiding her son in the back blocks of the South Island. Lawyer character is an American in NZ.
High cost of lawyers' fees. Traumatic nature of family law. Lawyers are unpopular as a breed, and the generalisation suited most of the individuals Theo had met". Statutory interpretation. Perceived bias in family court towards mothers. Comparative law (US/ NZ) | pp 12-13, 16-17, 78-79, 84-85, 115, 134-135 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Echoes of my Sisters | Alexander, Vonnie | | Novel | 1996 | 4 | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Sentencing issues | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Appearance of courtroom | role of the media | Trial scene - Told from perspective of female partner observing trial - Theft of drugs - Preliminary hearing in courtroom - Bill is found guilty - Doctor is friend who stole drugs to help Bill - Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment | pp 163-165 | Quoin Press, Christchurch | |
| End of the Century at the End of the World, The | Stead, C.K. | | Novel | 1992 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law as route to power | Lawyer's wife | Law students | | A wife of a lawyer - Mature English lit student. Alternative law student. | pp 9,108-109 | Harvill, London | |
| Enemy Territory | Sandys, Elspeth | | Novel | 1997 | 1 | Law and religion | role of the media | Appearance of courtroom | Court procedure | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Land issues | Legal jargon | Perceptions of judges | Perceptions of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Law school | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Importance of jury | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | racism of the law | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Public/ admin law | Legal history | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Perceptions of law firms | Elitism of the law | Parental pressure to go into law | Legal ramifications of divorce | Distrust of the legal system | Use of law to discover truth | | Colonial trial - land dispute between Maori and Pakeha - about a male lawyer, from an upper class family, father who is a lawyer, with high expectations for his son - He marries, has a child, his wife finds an alternative lifestyle includingdrugs and adultery. The couple divorce and a court custody battle ensues. The estranged wife comes into her own, cleans up her act, and re-opens a case from early NZ legal history in which she believes a man was wrongly sentenced to death. She enlists the help of a Maori lawyer and the man is acquitted posthumously. The estranged couple get back together and it ends happily.
Ethics- lawyers have to take cases even if they don't like the client. Dickensian characters. Use of dramatic means to persuade. Advocacy issues (negligence cf "The Dream of Nikau Jam"). Vulture nature of the media in court hearings. Religious imagery in courthouse. Language barriers in court. Court as harsh and unwelcoming. Judge as lead actor, registrar and typist as supporting actors, jury as audience, media as Greek chorus, title of drama Grieve vs Grieve, lawyers as players, Bible as prop, stage as judge's podium. Legal fees. | pp 3-23, 55, 72-73, 77, 88, 125, 147, 192-193, 217-218, 228, 231, 234, 237-240, 299, 308-311, 313-317, 321-326, 332, 339, 347, 357, 363 | Sceptre (Hodder & Stoughton), London | |
| Erebus: The Aftermath | McGee, Greg | Sharp, Peter | TV mini-series | 1987 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Politics and law | Powerful judges | Importance of due process | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Use of law to discover truth | routine of court procedure | Public/ admin law | Witnesses | Justice | | Focus on the legal and political aftermath of the Erebus crash, in particular the Royal Commission of Inquiry lead by Justice Mahon into the cause of the crash. Mahon finds Air NZ responsible and accuses their management of participating in "an orchestrated litany of lies". Number of scenes involving the lawyer in the inquiry committee room. Examples of cross examination eg. the head of Air NZ. Court of Appeal and Privy Council scenes. Number of key legal figures portrayed eg. Ted Thomas, George Barton, Lord Diplock, David Baragwanath, Sir Owen Woodhouse, Robert Muldoon.
Top lawyers defending Air NZ. Judicial autonomy- Constitution Act 1986. Danger of breaking ranks in the legal profession, principles of natural justice (judicial review), appeal to Privy Council. | | TVNZ | |
| Exposure | Coughlan, Ian | Blyth, David | Feature Film | 2000 | 4 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Cliche Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Public vs private life of lawyers | Importance of due process | | Legal secretary meets a photographer who puts her face on the cover of a new magazine. Legal secretary is going out with law partner. Legal secretary is killed and photographer becomes the prime suspect.
Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer cf "Tooth and Claw" and "Dove on the Water". | 7, 10, 13, 19, 27, 60 mins | | |
| "Fan Club, The" in The Age Of Light | Wilson, Simon | | Short Story | 1994 | 4 | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Law as route to power | | An ambitious woman who becomes a lawyer.
Author exaggerates reality- 28 year old lawyer on $250,000. | p 93 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Feathers of Peace | Barclay, Barry | Barclay, Barry | Doco drama | 2000 | 1 | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Law as a tool of oppression | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Injustice | racism of the law | Legal history | Adversarial nature of the legal system | routine of court procedure | Absence of law | | Doco drama with a mixture of historical fact and dramatic reconstructions. Follows the invasion of the Chatham Islands by the Maori, subjugation and massacre of the Moriori people and the subsequent unsuccessful struggle of the Moriori to have their land rights recognised by the Native Land Court. Features scenes of a Native Land Court hearing. Uses the dramatic technique of interviewing key historical figures in a mordern context.
Specific issues include Moriori customary law, law based on discussion (Moriori) versus law based on might (Maori), oppression of Moriori by Maori and Pakeha, native title, the inability of the law to prevent slavery, inflexibility of the Native Land Court. | 32, 33, 50, 58, 64, 66, 73, 75, 77, 78, 83, 89 mins | He Taonga Films | |
| For Good | McKenzie, Stuart | McKenzie, Stuart | Feature Film | 2003 | 2 | Absence of law | Vigilantism as justice | role of the media | Distrust of the legal system | Violence against women | Frustration with the legal system | Parole | Distrust of the legal system | Law as ineffective | | Ten years after the rape and murder of a 13 year old girl the rapist is up for parole. A friend of the murdered girl poses as a journalist and interviews the rapist and the girl's parents. Rapist eventually given parole, rearrested and commits suicide in prison. Attempts at restorative justice fail.
The inflammatory role of the media in high profile criminal cases. Liberal weakness of the NZ justice system. | 5, 16, 34, 47, 70, 74, 75 mins | Map Film Productions/ NZ Film Commission | |
| Foreign City | Grimshaw, Charlotte | | Novel | 2005 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Public vs private life of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Arrest procedure | role of police in the criminal justice system | Confessions | Key character, Aniela Devantier, has a tempestuous 'on again, off again' relationship with a shady lawyer named Bob. While Aniela is an artist, Bob is referred to as 'philistine'. Another sub-plot in the book deals with a police surveillance operation and includes a police interrogation scene. | p 241, 303, 355-358 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Foreskin's Lament | McGee, Greg | | Play | 1981 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Natural law | Women in law firms/ legal profession | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | About a rugby team and the feud between two players. Female lawyer character. | pp 59, 64-67 | Price Milburn with Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Freewheeling Lover Parks On Some Private Property And Cops A Heavy Fine" in Lovers and Other People | Southam, Barry | | Poetry | 1973 | 3 | Perceptions of judges | Legal ramifications of divorce | Law in literature within law in literature | | Divorce case- affair with meter maid, property division by judge. | p 27 | Pegasus Press, Christchurch | |
| From my cold, dead hands | McGill, David | | Novel | 2007 | 4 | Politics and law | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | role of the media | International law | Court procedure | Importance of due process | Criminal stigma | | A student is mistakenly accused of stealing sensitive information about oil.
Rule of law. Law professors giving advice to the media. | pp 17, 82, 88, 90-93, 102, 105, 107, 110, 130, 140, 144, 151, 160-3, 166-167, 175-176, 194-195, 216, 245, 268, 286-7. | Silver Owl Press, Wellington | |
| Grace is Gone | Morey, Kelly Ana | | Novel | 2004 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal ramifications of divorce | Elitism of the law | Law school | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law students | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Law as route to power | | About a Maori family living in a small town in NZ. Maori female lawyer.
Changing perception of lawyer stereotype to include women. Lawyer as small town gentry. The lawyer's pivotal role in divorce proceedings. Becoming a lawyer to help dispossessed minority eg. Maori. "Some flash Maori girl lawyer". Victoria law school as training for new elite. Maori law students automatically getting scholarships. | pp 9, 13, 28-29, 33, 35, 221 | Penguin, Auckland | |
| Grasscutter, The | Mitchell, Roy | Mune, Ian | Feature Film | 1988 | 5 | Absence of law | Vigilantism as justice | Man alone on the run from the law | Law as ineffective | | Crime action thriller, Irish 'troubles' come to NZ, lead character (Brian Deeds) is a Protestant who turned Queen's evidence on his fellow Protestant terrorists. Now they are trying to kill him. Several police characters, no lawyers, judges or mention of specific criminal law.
Police seem powerless to control Irish carrying out vendettas in NZ. | 58, 70 mins | Finlayson Brewer Productions | |
| "Great New Zealand Truth Show, The" in Passing Through and other plays | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1992 | 2 | role of the media | Youth and law | racism of the law | Injustice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Individual rights vs public safety | Politics and law | Legal history | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Law as a tool of oppression | Importance of jury | Cause celebre trials | Women in law | | Structured like TV news with readers and news stories featuring law.
The draconian laws introduced by government during 1951 waterfront strike- the 'Truth' often forgotten or sacrificed for a juicy story. Conservative establishment against poor. Racism and the law (against Chinese). Injustice of Arthur Allan Thomas trial. | pp 17-20, 32, 44, 50 | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| "Green Devil, The" in The Firewheel Tree | Sinclair, Keith | | Poetry | 1973 | 5 | Exploration of concepts related to law | | Poem about envy. Concepts of fear, guilt, innocence, "black justice". | p 38 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| Guests of the New Gold Hill | Kang, Jye | | Novel | 1985 | 3 | racism of the law | Kangaroo court | Injustice | racism of the law | | 1890s - A Chinese man is sentenced to hang - unfairly convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence | pp 84-85,105-107 | Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland | |
| Guilt | Grimshaw, Charlotte | | Novel | 2000 | 1 | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Perceptions of lawyers | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Public vs private life of lawyers |Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Perceptions of law firms | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Alternative code of rules | Parental pressure to go into law | One of the main characters, Maria Wallis, is a new law clerk at a big firm and gets involved in the Auckland underworld. Details the challenges that a new lawyer faces in a large corportate firm. Excellent description of corporate culture and the induction process. Maria works for an eccentric partner named Giles Speer. As the novel progresses, Maria begins to spiral downwards and loses her job. | pp 27, 60-63,76-78,86-87,92-94, 111, 124-5, 151, 179-180, 202-4 | Abacus, London | |
| "Haere Ki Te Moe Kirehe Porangi" in "Choice Meat" | Jowzi, Paul | | Poetry | 1983 | 5 | Hypocrisy of law | Law as a tool of oppression | Land issues | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | | Poem about social problems affecting Maori in NZ. | p 7-8 | Koha Maha Publications, Havelock North | |
| Hanlon | Catran, Ken | Tourell, Wayne | TV mini-series | 1995 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Court procedure | racism of the law | Witnesses | Patriarchal system vs feminism | Politics and law | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of jury | Cause celebre trials | Public vs private life of lawyers | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of judges | Use of law to discover truth | Adversarial nature of the legal system | | Based on the legal career of high profile late 19th Century-early 20th Century barrister Alfred Hanlon. Each episode deals with a high profile case in which Hanlon was the defence lawyer for eg. Minnie Dean. Set in Dunedin. Episode 1: In Defence of Minnie Dean. Episode 2: In Defence of Hugh Sweeney. Episode 3: In Defence of Clements. Episode 4: In Defence of Thomas Caradoc Kerry. Episode 5: In Defence of Stott and Bramley. Episode 6: In Defence of Shue Hock. Episode 7: In Defence. Features a number of leading legal personalities from the era including Justice Williams, Ethel Benjamin, Richard Seddon, Charles Skerritt, Justice Edwards. Has a balance between scenes involving Hanlon's personal life, court room scenes and scenes in his offices.
Difference between law and morality. Discrimination against Chinese. | | | |
| He Tangi Aroha | Taylor, Apirana | | Novel | 1993 | 1 | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Treaty criticism/ issues | Tino rangatiratanga | Land issues | role of the media | Legal history | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | racism of the law | Law students | Use of law to discover truth | Politics and law | Law as a tool of oppression | | Young Maori people learning about their culture and the injustices of the past - Reacting against it. World of urban Maori in 1990s.
Pakeha dishonoured by the Treaty- Spirit and principles of the Treaty dishonoured- Importance of Rangatiratanga- Maori Land Court- Law as a path to improve life for Maori- Maori contact with courts- (both working in the court system as a way of keeping up to date and involved in the process- and as offenders)- Pakeha destroying Maori religion, land, legal system, government- Maori customary law. | pp 12, 34-35, 41-43, 66, 74-76, 85, 91-92, 95, 106-110, 162, 172-173, 190, 193, 205, 214-215, 219-220, 239-242 | Huia Publishers, Wellington | |
| Heart of the Stag | Story by Firth, Michael, Screenplay by Illingworth, Neil | Firth, Michael | Feature Film | 1984 | 4 | Absence of law | Violence against women | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Vigilantism as justice | Law as ineffective | Suffering of victims of crime | | A film about a farmer (Robert) who is carrying out an incestuous relationship with his daughter (Cathy). A hired hand (Peter) falls for the daughter creating tension between him and his boss. The law is completely absent and justice is only achieved through the intervention of Peter. Robert is killed by a stag in the final scene while attempting to shoot Peter. The film juxtaposes idyllic farming scenery with the sordid domestic life of father and daughter.
Law failing to protect females, the gun imagery symbolising maintenance of order through violence. | | Southern Light Pictures | |
| "Her articles 1840" in Our Bay of Ensigns and Other 'Race' Relations | Gadd, Bernard | | Poetry | 2001 | 4 | Treaty criticism/ issues | racism of the law | | Examination of the place of the Treaty in modern society - Different interpretations of the Articles of the Treaty | p 8 | HeadworX, Wellington | |
| "High Court Report" in Selected Poems 1975-1994 | Edmond, Lauris | | Poetry | 1994 | 3 | Violence against women | role of the media | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | | Newspaper article about a violent attack on a woman - Contrast between a safe social environment and the violence one reads about in society | pp 108-109 | Bridget Williams, Wellington | |
| I See a Voice | Middleton, Ian | | Novel | 1998 | 3 | Legal jargon | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Importance of Advocacy | Legal ramifications of divorce | | Divorce proceedings - Lesbian relationship | pp 114-115 | Harper Collins, Auckland | |
| "I try to imagine" in Stones in Her Mouth | Potiki, Roma | | Poetry | 1992 | 2 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Tino rangatiratanga | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | | Treaty of Waitangi. | p 59 | IWA Associates, Auckland | |
| I'll Make You Happy | Tsoulis, Anne | Tsoulis, Athina | Feature Film | 1999 | 5 | Importance of due process | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Absence of law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | Siggy is unsatisfied with being a prostitute. Siggy and her fellow prostitute friends intercept their pimp's drug deals in order to gain more money. The pimp is under investigation by the police. | 29, 63, 76 mins | Interesting Films Different Perspectives | |
| Illustrious Energy | Edmond, Martin, Narbey, Leon | Narbey, Leon | Feature Film | 1988 | 5 | racism of the law | Legal history | Law as a tool of oppression | | Set in the central Otago goldfields during the 1860s. Two Chinese golddiggers discover a fortune. They face prejudice due to their race. | | Challenge Film Corporation presents a Cinepro Production | |
| In My Father's Den | McGann, Brad novel by Gee, Maurice | McGann, Brad | Feature Film | 2004 | 5 | Property law | Importance of due process | Importance of advocacy | Common man facing the law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | | Paul, a war photographer returns to his NZ rural hometown when his father dies. Dividing up family property. Teenage girl goes missing. At first Paul is a suspect but turns out someone else was responsible for the girl's death.
Needing a warrant. | 7, 53, 54, 71, 80, 89, 102, 110 mins | THE Films/ Little Bird | |
| In Touch with Grace | Pattrick, Jenny | | Novel | 2006 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Politics and law | Obstructive nature of government | Precedent | Youth and law | Importance of due process | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Individual rights vs public safety | Distrust of the legal system | role of the media | | Women reminising about the past, has a lawyer friend who is accused of child molestation. Allegation is eventually dropped.
Popular perception of lawyers as cultured. Lawyers as politically conservative. Protesting the Springbok tour. | pp 52-53, 69, 140-144, 151, 153-6, 160-6, 170-4, 176-7, 182-3. | Random House, Auckland | |
| "Judgment" in Scribbled Faces | Martin, Annette D | | Poetry | 1984 | 3 | Law and religion | Legal jargon | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | | About a juror and their views on the trial
Legal concepts in everday use | p 31 | A. Martin, Auckland | |
| Julien Ware | Wilson, Guthrie | | Novel | 1952 | 1 | Law school | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of law firms | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Elitism of the law | Law as route to power | Law as a game | | Bildungsroman - About an ambitious young man who becomes a lawyer who works his way up to partner in the firm - becomes more ruthless.
Law school perceived as a road to success- Victoria Law School- law ambition= partnership in a firm- Qualities for a lawyer eg. reticence, honesty, ruthlessness- Cause celebre cases- Succession in firms- UK influence- Importance of land law in NZ- Lack of Maori presence in the legal system in the 1930s. | pp 76-78, 96-97, 110-111, 113, 124-127, 149-150, 152-153 not exhaustive | Robert Hale, London | |
| "Jury Duty" in Graeme Lay (ed) 100 New Zealand Short Stories | Seccombe, Anita | | Short Story | 1997 | 1 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Importance of jury | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal jargon | routine of court procedure | | Two page short story about a person carrying out jury service. Character feels out of place in the environment. The accused attempts to intimidate the jury through eye contact. Evocative description of jury service. | pp 91-2 | Tandem Press, Auckland | |
| "Justice Advances the Cause of the People" in A Red Mole Sketchbook | Brunton, Alan | | Play | 1989 | 3 | Hypocrisy of law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Alienation from the legal system- working class | routine of court procedure | role of the media | | Court scene in which a woman is on trial - Theatre of the Absurd/Kafka-esque dramaturgy - Send-up of legal procedure - Woman found guilty - No reasons for decision - Prosecution also implicated | pp 32-42 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Justice Denied" in Graeme Lay (ed) 100 New Zealand Short Stories | McVeigh, Chris | | Short Story | 1997 | 1 | Perceptions of judges | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Sentencing issues | routine of court procedure | | Ruthless sexist judge spends the day giving out harsh sentences. Attends a flashy law dinner, manages to lock himself out of his hotel and has to catch a taxi driven by the father of someone he had sentenced earlier in the day.
Lawyer as short story author. Stereotype of judge as stern, unfeeling, elite, impartial. Sexist nature of the legal profession. Law as an old boys club. Inability of the judiciary to identify with the accused. Insular elitism of the legal profession eg. bar dinners. Inability of judges to escape the reality of society cf. "Tooth and Claw". | pp 209-210 | Tandem Press, Auckland | |
| K Road | Dawe, Ted | | Novel | 2005 | 2 | Perceptions of judges | Witnesses | Appearance of courtroom | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of advocacy | role of the media | Sentencing issues | | Story about the Auckland underworld set on K Road. Characters get in trouble with the law. One main character is a court room journalist and observes a trial of a school principal on charges of downloading child pornography. Features character Roger King QC who is a powerful figure providing assistance when people get in trouble. Chapter 12 is an entire court room scene. | pp 45, 76-78, 104, 119, 171. | Longacre Press, Dunedin | |
| Killing Hour, The | Cleave, Paul | | Novel | 2007 | 3 | Law exploiting people's misery | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Sentencing issues | Suffering of victims of crime | | Crime story about a man who suffers memory loss and has been accused of killing two girls. Cynical cop who thinks the law is too lenient towards criminals. Frustrated by the law when trying to bring criminals to justice.
Law preying on people's misery "making money from evil". Criminals break the law and cops have to abide by every law in order to catch them eg. getting a warrant. | pp 14, 46-48, 106, 116, 118-119, 241-243. | Random House, Auckland | |
| Kissing Shadows | Renee | | Novel | 2005 | 5 | Law as route to power | Law as a tool of oppression | Elitism of the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | | Daughter finds out about father's dark secret. | pp 42, 208-9, 216 | Huia Publishers, Wellington | |
| "Kohunga" in Kohunga and Whaea Kairau: Mother Hundred Eater | Taylor, Apirana | | Play | 1999 | 5 | racism of the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Arrest procedure | | About Maori issues. Includes reference to a Maori person being arrested.
Cultural insensitivity in the legal system, especially by police. | pp 27-28 | Pohutukawa Press, Auckland | |
| Land of Milk and Honey | Taylor, William | | Novel | 2005 | 2 | Absence of law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | routine of court procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | Witness examination | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Suffering of victims of crime | Youth and law | | English boy goes to live with a New Zealand boy during World War II. He is beaten up by the town bully who is subsequently sent to a borstal. | pp 57-8, 60-3, 100-3, 133-134, 137-41, 146-8. | Harper Collins Publishers, Auckland | |
| "Land Wars II- Motoua" in Hui | Glover, Marewa | | Poetry | 2001 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | racism of the law | Land issues | Treaty criticism/ issues | Alienation from the legal system- working class | | Motoua Gardens protest - Facts of this event
Police as the instrument of control used by the Pakeha establishment. Lack of recognition of Maori custom and court procedure. | p 41 | Marewa Glover, Auckland | |
| "Lawyer, The" in The Newspaper Poems | Langston, Richard | | Poetry | 2007 | 1 | Elitism of the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Importance of advocacy | The way lawyers view the law | Use of law to discover truth | role of the media | | Lawyer meeting with a young female reporter. His client, a politician, has been accused of sleeping with an under age girl.
Lawyers destroying reputations on cross-examination. Laws focus on evidence rather than opinions. Lawyer defending the powerful. | p 38 | Fitzbeck Publishing, Wellington | |
| Lost Tribe, The | Laing, John | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1985 | 5 | Importance of advocacy | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Importance of due process | Man alone on the run from the law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Absence of law | | Murder suspect is Edward Scarry. Edward's anthropologist brother, Maxwell, disappears while searching for lost Maori tribe in Fiordland, mysterious links between brothers. Useful police questioning scenes. | 40 mins | Meridian Films | |
| Love and War | Sandys, Elspeth | | Novel | 1992 | 3 | Ethics | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of advocacy | Appearance of courtroom | Land issues | role of the media | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | | Court case about Maori land issues. | pp 118, 120-127 | Vintage New Zealand, Auckland | |
| Luka | Roberts, Anna | | Novel | 1987 | 5 | racism of the law | | Detaining of Dalmation immigrants during the WWI. | pp 115 | Moana Press, Tauranga | |
| "Manners Street Blues" in Small Holes in the Silence | Grace, Patricia | | Short Story | 2006 | 4 | Importance of advocacy | Speed of justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Witnesses | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | | Character is the victim of police brutality, trying to get compensation through the court system. | p 182-183 | Penguin Group, Auckland | |
| Maori Girl | Hilliard, Noel | | Novel | 1991 | 4 | Frustration with the legal system | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Victim's rights | Legal jargon | Arrest procedure | | Man is trying to bail a young Maori girl out of prison | pp 226,258-263 | Reed Books, Auckland | 1960 |
| "Maori Jesus, The" in Paul Morris, Harry Ricketts, Mike Grimshaw (eds) Spirit in a Strange Land: A Selection of New Zealand Spiritual Verse | Baxter, James K | | Poetry | 2002 | 4 | Law and religion | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Arrest procedure | racism of the law | | Jesus as a Maori in Wellington | pp 125-126 | Random House, Auckland | |
| March to the Sound of Guns | Grover, Ray | | Novel | 2008 | 3 | Importance of advocacy | Legal history | Court procedure | Distrust of the legal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Law as route to power | | Set in WWI both on the battlefields and in New Zealand. A focus on a court martial. | pp 22, 324-327, 393-395. | Longacre Press, Dunedin | |
| Mark II | Manuel, Mitchell, Walker, Mike | Anderson, John | Feature Film | 1986 | 3 | Importance of advocacy | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Man alone on the run from the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Youth and law | | Eddie, Kingi and Matthew go on a roadtrip. They get chased by drug dealers. Kingi is caught by police and charged with possession of hard drugs. Eddie is provoked by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend and gets charged with assault. Eddie's girlfriend's father hires a lawyer and he is freed. There is a court scene at 63 mins.
"You're young, you've got a brown face and the odds are that you will end up in court". | 56, 59, 61, 63, 65, 66, 67 mins | TVNZ | |
| Masks & Shadows | Riddell, Michael | | Novel | 2000 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Legal ramifications of divorce | routine of court procedure | | Comprehensive trial scene.
Image of prosecutor as boring and rigid. | pp 130-131, 172-175 | Flamingo, Auckland | |
| Matriarch, The | Ihimaera, Witi | | Novel | 1986 | 2 | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Land issues | Law as a tool of oppression | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Legal history | Sentencing issues | racism of the law | Treaty criticism/ issues | | Old woman's view of NZ history and the oppression of Maori by Pakeha - includes mention of Hamiora Pere cf Season of the Jew - Talks about different statutes affecting Maori cf Songs of the Judges | pp 172-173,234-245,314-339 | Heinemann Publishers, Auckland | |
| Matter of Parihaka, The | Bohan, Edmund | | Novel | 2000 | 3 | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Perceptions of judges | role of police in the criminal justice system | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | routine of court procedure | | Detective crime story set against the backdrop of the invasion of Parihaka in 1881. | pp 24, 84-88, 93-94, 158-159. | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| "Matthew Innes" in Storyteller | Williamson, Simon | | Poetry | 2002 | 4 | Injustice | Law as ineffective | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | | Matthew Innes was killed in the back seat of a police car | p 130 | HeadworX, Wellington | |
| Mauri Tu | Kouka, Hone | | Play | 1992 | 2 | Youth and law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | racism of the law | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | | Maori boy comes into contact with the courts, juxtaposition of Pakeha and traditional Maori concepts/systems of justice.
Maori seeing Marae trial as easy way out. Restorative justice. | pp 4-33 | Aoraki Press, Wellington | |
| Miramar Mornings | Edwards, Denis | | Novel | 2005 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Elitism of the law | Inequality of men and women in the legal system | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Corruption in the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Law in literature within law in literature | Court procedure | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of law firms | Public vs private life of lawyers | Law as route to power | Law exploiting people's misery | Clients | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | A murder mystery set in Wellington. Set in the 70s but flashes back to the late 1940s. One of the main characters, Helen, is a lawyer trying to make her way in a male dominated profession (1970s). She faces prejudice in the firm. She is helped by a lecherous old lawyer to get her own back on the male partners in her firm. There is a strong pushy female lawyer character called Felicity. Helen is assisted by a legal secretary who hates her bosses. A corrupt lawyer character appears in the 1940s section.
Victoria law school as a training ground for the powerful elite. 1970s women's liberation movement and the effect on the legal profession. Token Maori in firm for appearances (cf Outrageous Fortune). Close and often tense relationship between police and lawyers (cf Street Legal). Partners as arrogant, elite, old, white and adulterous men. Lawyers as corrupt both professionally and personally. Lawyers as movers and shakers in Wellington society. Law profession closing ranks to protect its own. Legal secretarial staff hating their bosses (the partners). | pp 16, 25-26, 28-29, 34-35, 46, 54-55, 65-69, 72-77,81, 88, 94-95, 107, 118, 132-137, 144-147, 192-197, 225, 235-236, 242-243 | Penguin Group, Auckland | |
| Miserables, The | Wilkins, Damien | | Novel | 1993 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law school | Adversarial nature of the legal system | The way lawyers view the law | Law students | Elitism of the law | Law school | role of the media | Ethics | Legal jargon | Narrator, Healey, looking back on his friendship with lawyer. They attended first year law classes together but Healey did not continue with law. Perceptive critique of legal education including the Socratic teaching method cf Duncan Kennedy's work on 'Law School as training for hierarchy'.
Description of lawyer's life eg divided into 6 minute units, unforgiving workload. | pp 101-114, 121, 151-153 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Mister Blue Satin" in A Needle in the Heart | Kidman, Fiona | | Short Story | 2002 | 3 | Witnesses | Importance of jury | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | routine of court procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal jargon | Violence against women | | Trial scene for an attempted rape of a young woman- Witness examination of the young women in court
Witness examination. Trauma of a rape trial. | pp 141-160 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Monday's Warriors | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1990 | 3 | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Politics and law | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Sentencing issues | Legal history | Land issues | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Man alone on the run from the law | | Novel set during the later stages of the NZ wars. Titokowaru's rebellion on the west coast of the North Island. At p 8 main character Kimball Bent is court martialed for disobeying orders and given a suspended sentence effectively allowing him to continue in the army. Bent shows disdain for the court cf Fairweather in Shadbolt's "Season of the Jew". Discussion at p 128 about whether Maori are subject to British law. | pp 8-11, 128-9 | Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland | |
| Mortmain | Corbalis, Judy | | Novel | 2007 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Legal history | Inequality of men and women in the legal system | Urban vs rural lawyers | Lawyer's wife | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Elitism of the law | Clients | Law school | Parental pressure to go into law | | Sweeping family drama in which one of the main characters is a lawyer. He wants his son to take over the family business. Lawyer father misappropriates client funds in order to pay for son's legal education at Cambridge. Father killed in car accident. Son returns and sorts out situation with the help of his lawyer uncle. Family law firm involved in Wi Parata case getting justice for the Maori who entrusted land to a chuch to build a school. Reference to Victoria law school being a poor alternative to Cambridge University.
Tension between duty to family and duty to the law. Cultural cringe regarding NZ legal education. Old boys network operating in legal profession. Ted as hero lawyer. | pp 31, 37, 99, 101, 107,168, 184-185, 197, 199, 213, 218-220, 222-231, 257-258. | Random House, Auckland | |
| Mother Tongue | Rosier-Jones, Joan | | Novel | 1996 | 5 | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | | Maori and Pakeha relations. Set in future- NZ under Maori dictatorship. | pp 187 | David Ling Publishing, Auckland | |
| "Mr Dooley" in First with the Sun | Mulgan, Alan | | Short Story | 1939 | 5 | Politics and law | Injustice | Perceptions of judges | routine of court procedure | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Witnesses | | Discussion in a pub with colloquial references to law. (Mentions trial of Emile Zola) | pp 55-58 | J.M. Dent & Sons, London | |
| Mr Halliday and the Circus Master | McNeish, James | | Novel | 1996 | 5 | role of the media | Speed of justice | Law and technology | Importance of advocacy | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | | Trial scene | pp 127-137 | David Ling Publishing, Auckland | |
| My Story Be Counted! The Diary of Amy Phelps, Dunedin 1893 | McVeagh, Janine | | Novel | 2007 | 3 | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Politics and law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Separation of powers | Law as route to power | Law school | | About the suffrage movement and women getting the vote in 1890s.
Political maneouvring in parliament to pass legislation. | pp 30, 42-3, 46-7, 54-6, 62-3, 74-6, 80-81, 86, 92, 100-2, 104, 117, 121, 127, 130, 135-6, 143, 145, 150-1, 157, 161, 170-72. | Scholastic NZ, Manukau | |
| "Nearest Type of Eternal Damnation, The" in Trudie McNaughton (ed) : A collection of fiction by New Zealand women 1870s-1980s in Deadly Earnest | Grossmann, Edith | | Short Story | 1989 | 3 | Perceptions of lawyers | Violence against women | Legal ramifications of divorce | Inequality of men and women in the legal system | Absence of law | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Suffering of victims of crime | | Wife victim of domestic violence by her brutal husband. The law supports him and condemns her to her fate.
Law making wives the property of their husbands during the 19th Century. Difficulty of getting a divorce in the 19th Century. (Coverture).
| pp 13-16 | Century Hutchinson New Zealand, Auckland | |
| Never Say Die | Murphy, Geoff | Murphy, Geoff | Feature Film | 1988 | 5 | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Alternative code of rules | | American lawyer, Witten, tells Melissa that there is a plan to cash in on her late father's invention of a new soft drink.
Brief appearance by token lawyer to advance the plot. | | Pastrami and Rye in association with the NZ Film Commission | |
| "No Escape" in John Kingston (ed) Pataka: Selected Short Stories by New Zealand Authors | Davidson, Marion | | Short Story | 1936 | 3 | Law as Law as route to power | Perceptions of lawyers | Law school | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Importance of due process | Witnesses | Law students | | Two law students in competition for top student prize go in very different directions after graduation. One student joins the army during the war and the other accuses him without evidence of being an enemy spy. He is executed and it is later found that he in fact was a spy, though the other's accusation always plays on his conscience.
Traditional nature of legal eduction in the 1930 eg. Latin and Roman law. Courts as a means of exacting revenge. | pp 39-43 | K System Publishing, Auckland | |
| "Not Guilty Sir" in Hang on a Minute Mate | Crump, Barry | | Short Story | 1961 | 3 | Common man facing the law | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Perceptions of judges | Conducting own defence | routine of court procedure | Witnesses | | Court scene in which a man conducts his own defence - Light-hearted scene eg. accused tries to shake hands with the judge | pp 131-137 | A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington | |
| Not So The Land | Owen, D.M. | | Novel | 1965 | 2 | Land issues | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Treaty criticism/ issues | Legal history | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Tino rangatiratanga | Ignorance of the law | | An English lady comes to NZ to marry a colonist - Te Rauparaha - 1840s - Wairau - Meeting between Fitzroy and Te Rauparaha 1844.
Dubious nature of early land purchases. Maori concepts of justice involving utu and mana. Humanitarian appraoch to Maori. Marae-based justice. | pp 99, 146-147, 176-177, 182-183 | Robert Hale, London | |
| O! Temperance! | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1974 | 2 | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | Law and religion | Judge as God | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Women in law | Perceptions of judges | Politics and law | routine of court procedure | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | role of the media | | About the temperance movement, seeking to prohibit alcohol - Women's Franchise campaign.
Liquor Licensing Act 1881- Process of appeal- Using Politics to manipulate law when the courts fail. | pp 19, 30-31, 36, 39-43, 46, 48, 53, 61 | Christchurch Theatre Trust, Christchurch | |
| Objection Overruled | Burns, Carolyn | | Play | 1985 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Legal jargon | Appearance of courtroom | The use of law for humorous effect | Law and religion | Women in law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Law as a tool of oppression | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | routine of court procedure | Common man facing the law | | An absurdist play about a trial of a white, middle class, conventional male, who is accused of "living". Features a traditional courtroom with traditional court procedures jumbled up. Different witnesses from the accused's life are examined and cross examined. The audience acts as a jury at the end and gets to decide the fate of the accused. Entire play takes place in a court room.
The difference between rights and law. Kafkaesque court room. Law delving into people's private lives and exposing secrets. The metaphor of the cage. Society as represented by the court, constraining women's expectations ie. fill the role of wife and mother. The public spectacle of a trial. Farcical nature of law (absurdist play). The law reflecting ideals and limitations of middle class white men. | pp 7,8-85 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Obsession | Gurr, Tom & Cox H.H. | | Novel | 1958 | 1 | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Importance of advocacy | Speed of justice | Perceptions of lawyers | Appearance of courtroom | role of the media | Youth and law | Law in literature within law in literature | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Perceptions of judges | Use of law to discover truth | Cause celebre trials | | Parker-Hulme murder - 1950s - Christchurch - Trial scene.
Prurient nature of the public gallery. Stereotypical lawyer- dispassionate, calm, detached, educated, self-disciplined, severe. Defence of insanity. | pp 158-189,196-247 | Frederick Muller, London | |
| Off | Hodson, Colin | Hodson, Colin | Short Film | 2002 | 5 | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Importance of due process | Arrest procedure | | About a flat of drug users. Main character, Ben gets arrested for buying drugs and gets taken to the police station. | | Prang City and Gordon Productions | |
| Once Were Warriors | based on the novel by Duff, Alan screenplay by Brown, Riwia | Tamahori, Lee | Feature Film | 1994 | 1 | Absence of law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Violence against women | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Vigilantism as justice | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | routine of court procedure | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Appearance of courtroom | Law as ineffective | Youth and law | Perceptions of judges | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | | Set in South Auckland, portrays a dysfunctional Maori family with a violent father. Court room scene (30 mins) involves one of the sons before the Youth Court on charges of burglary. He is sent to social welfare care and changes his ways after discovering his Maori heritage cf Jake who is detached from his Maori heritage and continues to replicate the cycle of violence. The movie portrays a lawless South Auckland where the police are unable to enforce the law.
Inability of justice system to prevent domestic violence. At 30 mins police car is overtaken dangerously by a gang car but is powerless to do anything. | 3, 9, 11, 12, 15, 20, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 39, 61 mins | Communicado | |
| Once Were Warriors | Duff, Alan | | Novel | 1990 | 1 | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Youth and law | Perceptions of judges | Judge as God | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Appearance of courtroom | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Speed of justice | routine of court procedure | Absence of law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Law as ineffective | Elitism of the law | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Violence against women | | Scene where Boogie is sent to Youth Court
Physical set up of courtroom, elevation of judges. | pp 32-37 | Tandem Press, Auckland | |
| "Open Home" in Spark | Neale, Emma | | Poetry | 2008 | 5 | Legal ramifications of divorce | Law as a game | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | | Poem about an open home and the home is part of settlement property under the Property Relationship Act. | p 57 | Steele Roberts, Wellington | |
| Opportunity | Grimshaw, Charlotte | | Mixed genre | 2007 | 1 | Lawyer's wife | Legal ramifications of divorce | Perceptions of lawyers | Public vs private life of lawyers | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Alternative code of rules | Importance of advocacy | Injustice | Cause celebre trials | Law as a tool of oppression | A series of interlinking short stories several of which feature law including "Pity", "Parallel Universe", "Opportunity", "Values" and "Free Will".
In "Pity" an ambitious criminal lawyer is offered information about his ex-wife. She apparently wants to have him killed. Details of the acrimonious divorce proceedings.
In "Parallel Universe" a businessman is in trouble with the Serious Fraud Office, observes the trial and becomes a 'bush lawyer'. The businessman supports a young musician, Newgate, convicted of murder. Businessman convinced he is innocent cf Joe Karem and David Bain. Businessman approaches lawyer, Murray Ray, about the Newgate case.
"Opportunity" see entry under "Opportunity".
In "Values" a neighbour informs social welfare authorities that next door children are 'out of control'. Father of children hires a lawyer and threatens to sue neighbour. Eventually receives appology. Oppressive power of the state.
"Free Will" features a woman who "dined out on law firms". Shows the need for lawyers to appease clients and the importance of social networking to the profession. | pp 33-45, 54, 80, 84, 88, 125-127, 130-131, 134-135, 138, 146, 164, 204, 247-248, 251, 254-255 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Other Halves | McCauley, Sue, from her novel "Other Halves" | Laing, John | Feature Film | 1984 | 2 | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Absence of law | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Elitism of the law | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Appearance of courtroom | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | Focuses on the relationship between a middle class, 32 year old woman and a teenage street kid, Tug. Tug appears in court twice.
Arrogant aloofness of the legal profession. | | Orringham Ltd | |
| Other Halves | McCauley, Sue | | Novel | 1982 | 1 | Appearance of courtroom | Court procedure | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Youth and law | Speed of justice | Law as a game | Perceptions of judges | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Access to justice | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Elitism of the law | Ignorance of the law | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Legal ramifications of divorce | Law as ineffective | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | | Older women has relationship with young Maori street kid - he gets into trouble with the law - goes to court- he gets off, provided he continues to live with her as his 'guardian'
Comments on court's physical appearance (likened to Dickens). Disorganisation of court procedure. Rich can afford justice. Difficulty of extracting truth in the legal process. Human element in law as an advantage. Rich lawyer vs poor litigant (power gap). Bias by Magistrate in criminal trials towards police and prosecution (from viewpoint of defendant). Disadvantages that ignorance of court procedure brings. Perception of lawyers as useless in determining an outcome. | pp 74-77,98-104,120-121,128-129,130-133,160-181 | Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, Auckland | |
| Out of the Blue | Tetley, Graeme with Sarkies, Robert | Sarkies, Robert | Feature Film | 2006 | 4 | Absence of law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Man alone on the run from the law | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Suffering of victims of crime | | 'Out of the Blue' is based on the Aramoana tragedy on November 13th 1990. David Gray shot dead thirteen of his neighbours including women, children, men and police officers. 'Out of the Blue' juxtaposes the darkness and evil of one man with courage of ordinary people in exceptional circumstances. | | Southern Light Films-Desert Road Films | |
| Outrageous Fortune (Series 1) | Lang, Rachel with Griffin, James | | Episode from TV series | 2005 | 1 | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of advocacy | The way lawyers view the law | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Public vs private life of lawyers | Distrust of the legal system | Corruption in the legal system | Coercive power of the law | Elitism of the law | Law as route to power | Ethics | Arrest procedure | Importance of due process | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Parole | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Law as a game | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Law students | Youth and law | Absence of law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Vigilantism as justice | Man alone on the run from the law | | | Episode 1: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 19, 28, 29, 30, 40, 41 mins. Episode 2: 2, 15, 20, 30 mins. Episode 3: 3, 7, 11, 15, 18, 20, 28, 31, 38, 39 mins Episode 7: 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 28, 36, 37 mins Episode 12: 1, 10, 16, 23, 26, 34, 37 mins not exhaustive | South Pacific Pictures | |
| Overkill | Symon, Vanda | | Novel | 2007 | 5 | role of the media | Corruption in the legal system | | Novel about a murder in a small town. | p 196 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| "Parihaka Grieving" in Just Poetry | Campbell, Alistair Te Ariki | | Poetry | 2007 | 3 | Absence of law | Law as a tool of oppression | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Injustice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Land issues | Legal history | Importance of due process | racism of the law | | Poem about Parihaka. | pp 29-32 | Headworx Publishers, Wellington | |
| Parihaka | Hinchcliff, John | | Novel | 2004 | 1 | Appearance of courtroom | Law as a tool of oppression | Injustice | Treaty criticism/ issues | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Politics and law | Separation of powers | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Importance of jury | Perceptions of judges | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Corruption in the legal system | racism of the law | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Distrust of the legal system | Absence of law | Legal history | Land issues | | Detailed comprehensive story leading up to and at Parihaka. There is a scene in Parliament where politicians are debating the Maori Prisoners' Act (based on Hansard). Trial of the Maori fencers.
Lack of respect from Pakeha for Maori Customary law. Representatives of the law as educated and pompous. Oppressive legislation eg. Maori Prisoners' Trials Act. Link between NZ and English constitutions eg. Magna Carta. Breach of Habeas Corpus "the Hon William Stewart calmly reminded the House of the Habeas Corpus Act, an imperial statute which he said he assumed to be in force in the colony". "In the Magna Carta it is laid down most distinctly that justice should not be sold or delayed". | pp 24-5, 74, 96-7, 122-3, 148-9, 154-59, 198-200, 202-217, 219-20, 222-23, 273-75, 312, 323-329, 331-34, 346-7. | Steele Roberts, Wellington | |
| "Path of Honour, The" in John Kingston (ed) Pataka: Selected Short Stories by New Zealand Authors | Anon | | Short Story | 1936 | 4 | Distrust of the legal system | Injustice | role of police in the criminal justice system | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Suffering of victims of crime | role of the media | role of police in the criminal justice system | Importance of due process | Confessions | Sentencing issues | | A detective surrenders himself for a crime he is not conscious of having commited. He in fact did not commit the crime and and the real culprit steps forward and takes the blame to prevent the detective being falsely convicted.
The legal system getting it wrong and possibly convicting the wrong man cf. Arthur Allan Thomas and David Dougherty. Importance of obligation and duty towards the law in the early 19th century. | pp 206-12 | K System Publishing, Auckland | |
| "Patrick and the Killer" in Fiona Kidman (ed) The Best New Zealand Fiction (Vol. 3) | Marshall, Owen | | Short Story | 2006 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | role of the media | Corruption in the legal system | Sentencing issues | Ethics | | Main character Patrick talks down a murderer and becomes a hero. Reference to the high profile trial of the murderer.
Unethical defence lawyers. The power of the media in publicising the law. | pp 119-121 | Random House, Auckland | |
| "Patu Wairua" in Tama and other short stories | Stewart, Bruce | | Short Story | 1989 | 3 | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Land issues | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Individual rights vs public safety | racism of the law | | Maori arguing with Pakeha - Protest.
Difficulty of Maori working for Pakeha government, and the problem of taking sides/ selling out. | pp 149-150 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Paua Tower, The | Atkinson, Coral | | Novel | 2006 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Ignorance of the law | Perceptions of law firms | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Individual rights vs public safety | Sentencing issues | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | | This novel is about left wing protest during the 1930s depression. Old woman about to be evicted. Government threat of sedition charge. Character convicted of manslaughter.
Governments using oppressive legal measures during times of emergency. | pp 14-15, 36, 83, 92-93, 232, 278, 280, 301, 311 | Black Swan, Auckland | |
| Peace Monster, The | Smythe, John | | Novel | 1991 | 4 | Public/ admin law | role of the media | Law as ineffective | | Legislation passed to save a dolphin.
Strategies used to circumvent law. | pp 221-222, 244 | Vintage, Auckland | |
| People-Faces, The | Cherrington, Lisa | | Novel | 2004 | 4 | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | | Maori character is taken into custody under the Mental Health (Compulsory Treatment) Act, lack of cultural sensitivity. The uncle has no faith in Pakeha laws and medicine and wants to use Maori medicine. | pp 238-239,248 | Huia Publishers, Wellington | |
| Permit, The | Jones, Bob | | Novel | 1984 | 2 | Public/ admin law | Perceptions of judges | Court procedure | Law as a vehicle to effect change | Politics and law | Common man facing the law | Individual rights vs public safety | Separation of powers | Obstructive nature of government | Coercive power of the law | | About a man who decides to take on the system which is trying to force him to register his address - goes through the court system to try and change the law.
Statutory interpretation. Government emergency powers of 1951. Breach of Civil Liberites. Constitutional conventions. Courts as a bulwark against executive power. | pp 22-147 | William Collins Publishers, Auckland | |
| Plumb | Gee, Maurice | | Novel | 1978 | 1 | Law as a game | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Public vs private life of lawyers | Perceptions of judges | Coercive power of the law | Sentencing issues | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Individual rights vs public safety | Law and religion | | Plumb is charged with Sedition during WWI - Pleads 'not guilty'- Trial scene where the lawyer won't let defendant (Plumb) speak in court - Convicted. Plumb's son becomes a judge.
Struggles of an idealist in the court system. Friends' influence to get legal help. | pp 153-163 | Faber & Faber Ltd, London | |
| Pohutukawa Tree, The | Mason, Bruce | | Play | 1988 | 3 | Arrest procedure | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | | Main character, Aroha, has a son who smashes a church window with a tiaha | pp 51,56-60 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Prophet" in Atua Wera | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1997 | 5 | Law and religion | Legal history | | Papahurihia movement. | p 187 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| Provocation | Grimshaw, Charlotte | | Novel | 1999 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Law students | Law as a game | Importance of advocacy | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Violence against women | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Public vs private life of lawyers | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Law exploiting people's misery | routine of court procedure | Witnesses | Clients | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | | Legal thriller narrated by a young female law student, Stella (22), who is having an affair with a charismatic and secretive criminal lawyer, Stuart (38). Together they are working on a high profile trial, trying to get their client, Carlos Lehmann, off a murder charge. Young female law student as sleuth cf Grisham's 'Pelican Brief'.
Virtually the entire novel is focused on law, making it one of the best examples of New Zealand law in literature. Much of the novel deals with Stella and Stuart investigating the facts surrounding the case. A technical definition of provocation appears on p 33. There is a minor character, Bernard Cracker, a larger than life criminal lawyer and Stuart's friend. | pp 1-282 | Abacus, London | |
| Queen City Rocker | Baer, Bill, from an original idea by Lymposs, Richard | Morrison, Bruce | Feature Film | 1986 | 4 | Alternative code of rules | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Youth and law | | About street kids in Auckland. They cross a powerful massage parlour owner who controls crime in that part of the city. | | Mirage Films | |
| Recipes for Revenge | Young, Caroline | | Novel | 1997 | 5 | Legal ramifications of divorce | Perceptions of lawyers | | About someone whose wife has left him for a lawyer | pp 39-40, 42 | RSVP Publishing Company, Auckland | |
| "Retired Barrister, The" in The Scientific Evidence of Dr Wang | de Montalk, Stephanie | | Poetry | 2002 | 3 | Importance of jury | The way lawyers view the law | Frustration with the legal system | Necessity of confessions | routine of court procedure | Perceptions of judges | Appearance of courtroom | | Lawyer reminiscing about his trials and his difficulties with the jury system | pp 12-13 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Ribbons of Grace | Alterio, Maxine | | Novel | 2007 | 5 | routine of court procedure | | Asian characters convicted of murder. | p 253 | Penguin, Auckland | |
| River Queen | Ward, Vincent | Ward, Vincent | Feature Film | 2005 | 5 | Legal history | Absence of law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Difference between civilian law and martial law | | Set during the NZ Wars. A pakeha woman gives birth to a child whose father is the son of a Maori chief. The child's grandfather kidnaps the child and the pakeha woman sets out to find him. She is caught between two worlds. | 15, 88, 89 mins | Silverscreen Films and The Film Consortium in association with Endgame Entertainment | |
| "Robocop in Long Bay" in Fiona Kidman (ed) The Best New Zealand Fiction (Vol 1) | Wendt, Albert | | Short Story | 2004 | 5 | Law as route to power | Perceptions of lawyers | Parental pressure to go into law | | About a Samoan family where the main character is expected to go to university and do law because he is the "smart one". | p 190 | Random House New Zealand, Auckland | |
| Runaway | Graham, John, O'Shea, John | O'Shea, John | Feature Film | 1964 | 4 | Man alone on the run from the law | Legal jargon | Violence against women | | Crooked accountant, David Manning, gets into debt and takes off on a road trip, has a physical fight with his girlfriend (domestic violence), girlfriend goes to police and reports David for assault and stealing her car, chased by police down the country.
Man alone on the run from the law cf "Goodbye Pork Pie" and "Mark II". | 38, 39 mins | Pacific Films | |
| Sawdust Makers, The | Fraser, Jackie | | Novel | 2006 | 4 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | racism of the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | | About a son who doesn't want to work in his father's sawmilling business and goes off to be a lawyer. The son has sympathy for Maori perspectives.
Lack of recognition of Maori communal land ownership. Discrimination of the law towards Chinese. Superficial trappings of law eg. flash clothes. Clash of generations regarding legal issues. | pp 28, 130-137, 181, 248-250 | Hazard Press, Christchurch | |
| Scarecrow, The | Morrieson, Ronald Hugh | | Novel | 1963 | 3 | Personification of 'The Law' | role of police in the criminal justice system | Injustice | | Sex killer is loose in a small town. | pp 52-53, 63-64 | Angus & Robertson, Sydney | |
| Scarecrow, The | Heath, Michael, Pillsbury, Sam, based on the novel by Morrieson, Ronald Hugh | Pillsbury, Sam | Feature Film | 1982 | 4 | Importance of advocacy | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Violence against women | | A woman has been murdered by a sexual predator who then kidnaps another girl who is eventually rescued by her brother and his friends. As a subplot the brother and his friends steal some hens from the school bully who then chases them for revenge. | | NZ National Film Unit | |
| Seal Boy | Catran, Ken | | Novel | 2004 | 5 | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Tino rangatiratanga | | Scene involves a Maori whaler who doesn't want to adopt or follow the English laws. | pp 67-68 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Season of the Jew | Shadbolt, Maurice | | Novel | 1988 | 1 | Legal history | Speed of justice | Law and religion | Perceptions of judges | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Manipulation of court system and jury | Vigilantism as justice | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Distrust of the legal system | Hypocrisy of law | Frustration with the legal system | Law as a tool of oppression | Inflexibility of the legal system | Law as route to power | Sentencing issues | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Importance of jury | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Politics and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Appearance of courtroom | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Injustice | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Ignorance of the law | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | routine of court procedure | | About Te Kooti and his campaign on the East Coast during the 1860s - Ends with the trial of Hamiora Pere on the charge of treason (Chapter 33).
Readiness to lie in court. Appearances important (decide the day). Manipulation of evidence and argument. Legal strategy. Prendergast as a 'devious monster'. | pp 42, 83, 94, 106-107, 111, 141, 303, 389, 432-435, 438, 442, 444-445, 447-467 not exhaustive | Hodder & Stoughton, London | |
| Send a Gorilla | Read, Melanie | Read, Melanie | Feature Film | 1988 | 3 | Devastation from child custody cases | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal ramifications of divorce | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Women in law | Importance of negotiation | | Main female character fighting for custody of child after separation. At 36 mins meets with lawyer to discuss custody and division of relationship property. Main character is a singing telegram person dressed up as a gorilla. | 13, 26, 36, 41, 64 mins | Energy Source International | |
| Sex Crimes | Thomas, Paul | | Short Story | 2003 | 3 | Legal jargon | Perceptions of lawyers | Importance of jury | routine of court procedure | Witnesses | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Distrust of the legal system | | Trial scene - Murder - Accused is acquitted.
Lying in court- Court not giving justice. | pp 154, 161, 251-253, 255 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Shadow of the Valley, The | Battye, Susan & Eakin Thelma | | Play | 1980 | 1 | Alienation from the legal system- working class | Urban vs rural lawyers | Elitism of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Witnesses | routine of court procedure | Importance of advocacy | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Perceptions of lawyers | | Trial scene in Supreme Court at Hokitika - Brunner mine disaster 1896 - Royal Commission of Enquiry - Company is trying to avoid fault - Found to be negligent - Issues of compensation
Court of Royal Commission of Enquiry into Brunner Mine disaster. Trial scene, inquistiorial approach, cross-examination of witnesses, miners lose, company absolved. Supreme Court trial in Hokitika, Miners try again, miners win after first hung jury. | pp 46-71 | Oxford University Press, Wellington | |
| Shadow of the Valley, The | Eakin, Thelma & Batlye, Susan | | Play | 1980 | 1 | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Urban vs rural lawyers | Elitism of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Witnesses | routine of court procedure | Importance of advocacy | Use of law to discover truth | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Importance of jury | | Court of Royal Commission of enquiry into BrunnerMine disasters. Trial scene, inquisitorial approach, cross-examination of witnesses, miners lose, company absolved. Supreme Court trial in Hokitika, miners try again- miners win after first hung jury. | pp 46-71 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Should I Be Good | McLean, Grahame | McLean, Grahame | Feature Film | 1985 | 2 | Corruption in the legal system | Absence of law | Perceptions of lawyers | Natural law | The way lawyers view the law | role of the media | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Legal history | Court procedure | Distrust of the legal system | Judge as God | | Focuses on an aspect of the Mr Asia drug scandal where a dead body is found in Wellington harbour. Money laundering operation is discovered. More murders. The crime ring is busted. Lawyers involved in crime syndicate, responsible for running the drug trade. A journalist tries to expose the crime syndicate on television. Overly complicated plot.
Absence of law in NZ replaced by criminal code of conduct. Defamation-law and the media. Reference to English legal history eg. the Third Estate (common law). Importance of evidence to satisfy the burden of proof for criminal conviction NZ film obsession with criminal law especially drugs. | | Grahame J. McLean and Associates | |
| Six Clever Girls who became Famous Women | Farrell, Fiona | | Novel | 1996 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Court procedure | Perceptions of judges | Inequality of men and women in the legal system | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Importance of advocacy | Law students | Elitism of the law | Law as a game | Appearance of courtroom | Perceptions of law firms | Law school | Law students | role of the media | Perceptions of judges | Public vs private life of lawyers | | About a top young female lawyer who is in the rat race, who is recounting her climb to success, and the challenges she faces along the way (i.e. discrimination on the basis of sex)
Importance of control and planning in the life of a lawyer. Otago law school. Using cunning argument to 'get client off'. Appearance of judge (sweating, thinning hair). Difficulties of being a female lawyer (ie. getting married, having a family etc) Men favoured over women in legal profession. Lawyers and secretaries stereotype (bimbo secretaries and lawyers as cads) Importance of impressing boss as a means to succeeding in a law firm. Pressure to become a partner. Affair with partner. Rich lawyers at Pauanui. Using work to ignore personal problems. | pp 128-247 | Penguin Books, Auckland | |
| Skin and Bone | McGee, Greg | Bailey, Chris | Television movie | 2003 | 3 | Law school | Parental pressure to go into law | Perceptions of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Law as route to power | Contract law | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Arrest procedure | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Absence of law | | An adaptation of "Foreskin's Lament" but set in the Super 12 era. Main character Seymour is trying for a Super 12 contract and is also a law student, deciding whether to do law or play rugby. Breaches contract by playing for another team and taking banned drugs. Ends with 'Clean' being arrested. At 75 mins Seymour is locked out of his evidence exam because he is late. | | Screenworks | |
| Sleeping Dogs | Mune, Ian, Baysting, Arthur (based on the novel "Smith's Dream" by Stead, C.K.) | Donaldson, Roger | Feature Film | 1977 | 3 | Absence of law | Corruption in the legal system | role of police in the criminal justice system | Confessions | Common man facing the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Law as a tool of oppression | Politics and law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Importance of due process | Individual rights vs public safety | Use of violence by legal system | | Smith leaves the city and becomes a recluse after his wife leaves him for his best friend. He lives in the bush in the Coromandel and gets framed by revolutionaries. Although he is apolitical he becomes a guerilla fighting the facist government. He is eventually shot by the army while on the run. Early scene shows street riot- police versus protesters.
Breakdown of rule of law in the face of excessive arbitrary facist power. Visual media foreshadowing true historical events eg. Springbok riots of 1981. Necessity of confessions to avoid execution cf "The Crucible". | | Aardvark Films | |
| Smash Palace | Donaldson, Roger | Donaldson, Roger | Feature Film | 1981 | 3 | role of police in the criminal justice system | Corruption in the legal system | Importance of advocacy | Violence against women | Legal ramifications of divorce | Distrust of the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Common man facing the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | | Former racing driver, Al Shore, has a marriage break up. His wife runs off with his best friend. Wife takes anon-molestation order against Al. Al is beaten up by the police. He kidnaps his daughter and goes on the run. He eventually surrenders after taking a hostage and attempting to kill his policeman friend. | | Aardvark Films | |
| Smashed | Hager, Mandy | | Novel | 2007 | 1 | Importance of advocacy | Importance of due process | Appearance of courtroom | role of the media | Perceptions of lawyers | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Perceptions of judges | Natural law | Law and popular culture | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Violence against women | Sentencing issues | | Young adult novel about a young Chinese boy whose sister is raped and the culprit is later severely beaten. The Chinese boy can't remember if he did the beating due to intoxication. His lawyer, Sandra, is the main legal character.
Influence of popular images of law on TV. Fictional characters reflecting on popular perceptions of the law within another fictional work. | pp 54-55, 130-131, 136, 140-142, 144-148, 155-156, 168-174, 202-5, 219-222, 226, 267 | Random House, Auckland | |
| Smith's Dream | Stead, C.K. | | Novel | 1971 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Obstructive nature of government | Use of violence by legal system | Importance of due process | Common man facing the law | Individual rights vs public safety | Politics and law | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Vigilantism as justice | | About a Fascist take-over in NZ.
Suspension of due process, basic liberties. | pp 40, 46-47 | Longman Paul, Auckland | |
| Snakeskin | Ashurst, Gillian | Ashurst, Gillian | Feature Film | 2001 | 4 | Absence of law | Perceptions of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Absence of law | Law students | Law as route to power | | Alice is looking for adventure. Jonny tags along. Alice picks up Seth hitch hiking. Seth seems to be her dream man but turns out to be a drug dealer. On the run from the law in the NZ country side cf "Goodbye Pork Pie" and "Mark II". | 7, 17, 19, 37, 40, 46, 65, 72 mins | Cowgirl Productions | |
| "SOLD!" in Ray Hargreaves and Peter Holland (eds) The Duel on the Creek and other tales of Victorian New Zealand | Evison, J.S | | Short Story | 1995 | 5 | Legal jargon | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Distrust of the legal system | racism of the law | Arrest procedure | | Stories from newspapers of the 1880s and 1890s. Set overseas, a group of young men are travelling, one of whom is a New Zealander. At one point the young New Zealander pretends to be an important legal figure from NZ, makes up an imaginary title and tries to arrest an Asian person.
Foreigners suspicion of British justice. Strong connections between England and New Zealand legal systems. Use of legal jargon and latin terms. | p 62-64, 67 | University of Otago Press, Dunedin | |
| "some Sons to mother" in The Pohutukawa-Beringen Tree | Marshall, Theresia Liemlienio | | Poetry | 1993 | 4 | Feminism vs patriarchal system | Legal ramifications of divorce | Unfairness of the legal system to women | | Son supporting father as opposed to mother during marriage break-up. | p 60 | Griffin Press, Auckland | |
| "Song to Uncle Scrim" in Selected Plays | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1984 | 5 | Law as a tool of oppression | Individual rights vs public safety | Use of violence by legal system | | Queen Street Riot 1932 | p 135 | Pilgrims South Press, Dunedin | |
| "Songs to the Judges" in Selected Plays | Thompson, Mervyn | | Play | 1984 | 1 | Legal history | Treaty criticism/ issues | Land issues | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Tino rangatiratanga | racism of the law | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Perceptions of lawyers | Legal jargon | Perceptions of judges | Magistrate/ judge as the face of law | Judge as God | Powerful judges | Distrust of the legal system | Injustice | Hypocrisy of law | Law as a tool of oppression | Corruption in the legal system | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Law as a game | | Collection of songs about Maori and the law directed at the New Zealand Judiciary. Satirical.
1) Ahi Kaa - Lack of recognition of traditional Maori concepts of land ownership 2) The Law Song- oppressive nature of subsequent land statutes, insensitive racist judiciary. 6) We got it all together just for you - injustice of invasion of Parihaka, use of arbitrary law, injustice of arresting Rua Kenana. 9) The Raglan golf course dispute - the court's lack of respect for Maori customs, rigidness of the Pakeha legal system, court in favour of the Pakeha elite. 10) Once in a generation - Pakeha legal system backed up by force eg Parihaka and Bastion Point "Once in a generation the gavel turns into a gun" 12) Three times more likely - Maori discriminated against by the criminal justice system. 14) Scales of Justice - Lack of empathy towards Maori from Pakeha judge 15) I spit on your court - conflict between Maori and Pakeha legal system, lack of respect for Maori by New Zealand legal system. 16) The Judge's Reply - Law as a protector of "civilisation" | pp 154-185 | Pilgrims South Press, Dunedin | |
| Sons for the Return Home | Maunder, Paul | Maunder, Paul | Feature Film | 1979 | 5 | Law as a tool of oppression | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | racism of the law | Access to justice | Use of violence by legal system | Injustice | Importance of due process | Individual rights vs public safety | | Sione, a Samoan, falls in love with a pakeha girl, Sarah in NZ. Their relationship ends and Sarah has an abortion. Focuses on discrimination of Pacific Islanders in NZ. There is a scene focusing on National Government dawn raids where Sione's family gets raided.
(Dawn raids during the 1970s looking for Pacific Islander "overstayers"). | 60 mins | Pacific Films | |
| Spin, The | Anon | | Novel | 1996 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Perceptions of law firms | Importance of advocacy | Law as a game | Politics and law | role of the media | Treaty criticism/ issues | | Political Spin Doctor who was a lawyer | | Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers, Auckland | |
| Spinal Dogs | Gruar, William | | Novel | 1996 | 3 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Urban vs rural lawyers | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Perceptions of law firms | | Man trying to manipulate legal system and use it for revenge
Contrast between dodgy lawyer and upright, honourable lawyer. Law society. | pp 45-49 | Valid Press, Auckland | |
| Spooked | Murphy, Geoff based on book by Ian Wishart | Murphy, Geoff | Feature Film | 2004 | 1 | Importance of negotiation | Perceptions of lawyers | Corruption in the legal system | Legal jargon | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Importance of advocacy | Court procedure | Property law | role of the media | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Perceptions of law firms | Importance of due process | Coercive power of the law | Importance of advocacy | | Kevin purchases some computers for his business and the salesman throws in a box of floppy disks, all of which belonged to a bank. When Kevin finds out the floppy disks hold sensitive information, he offers to resell them to the bank for $50,000. As it turns out the information is far more sensitive than Kevin imagined. The SIS gets involved and starts threatening Kevin. His life is in danger but it's too late to turn back. There were negotiations with a team of corporate lawyers representing the bank and Kevin has meetings with his small time lawyer. The bank accusses Kevin of extortion and blackmail. Kevin maintains property rights over the disks. Bank attempts to get a High Court injunction to stop Kevin disseminating the information on the disks and demands the return of them.
Strong female lawyer character. Competitive negotiation. Using court action as a threat. Use of injunction. The argument over a warrant (cliche popular perception of the law). Unreasonable search and seizure s21 BORA. | 9, 17, 19, 30, 59, 81 mins | Silverscreen films/ Ora Digital | |
| Stand in the Rain | Watson, Jean | | Novel | 1965 | 3 | Personification of 'The Law' | Importance of advocacy | Speed of justice | Law as entertainment/ drama/ drama | Legal ramifications of divorce | Stereotypical tasks of a lawyer | Witnesses | | About a domestic dispute and the woman watching a friend on trial.
Friends' influence to get legal help. Adultery and law. | pp 52-53, 92-95, 97-100, 106, 108-109 | Pegasus Press, Christchurch | |
| Starlight Hotel | Hinden-Miller, Grant | Pillsbury, Sam | Feature Film | 1987 | 3 | Man alone on the run from the law | Property law | Legal jargon | Individual rights vs public safety | | A young girl sets out to find her father during the Depression. On the way she meets an alienated war veteran on the run from the law. During the journey the pair establish an unlikely friendship. An unemployed persons' riot in Oamaru demonstrates the breakdown of law and order during the Depression. Police appear throughout the movie and at one point Patrick is put in prison. Patrick eventually sees Kate safely back to her father in Wellington.
Someone with legal knowledge saving the day. Breakdown of rule of law during times of national crisis. Necessity for emergency measures by authorities. | 45 mins | Challenge Film Corporation | |
| Stickmen | Ward, Nick | Rothwell, Hamish | Feature Film | 2001 | 5 | Alternative code of rules | Absence of law | | Three friends enter into a pool tournament and are successful. They are sucked into a criminal organisation.
Honour amongst thieves, prostitution, gambling. | | Stick films | |
| Straight | O'Leary, Micheal | | Novel | 2005 | 5 | Corruption in the legal system | Alternative code of rules | Youth and law | Perceptions of lawyers | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Arrest procedure | | About the underworld of Auckland.
Importance of legal research. Gangs defying the law cf "Once Were Warriors". | pp 18, 21, 45, 52-3, 60-1, 76-7,92,112 | Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop, Paekakariki | |
| Street Legal | McGee, Greg | Bailey, Chris | TV mini-series | | 1 | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Perceptions of lawyers | role of police in the criminal justice system | role of the media | Court procedure | Law and religion | Importance of jury | Ethics | Corruption in the legal system | Parental pressure to go into law | Youth and law | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | Man alone on the run from the law | Vigilantism as justice | Witnesses | Manipulation of court system and jury | Common man facing the law | Clients | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Criminal stigma | Law students | Elitism of the law | Sentencing issues | Adversarial nature of the legal system | Appearance of courtroom | Arrest procedure | Importance of due process | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Necessity of confessions | Public vs private life of lawyers | Importance of lawyers in times of grief | Perceptions of judges | Frustration with the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Coercive power of the law | Legal ramifications of divorce | The way lawyers view the law | Importance of advocacy | Legal jargon | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | racism of the law | Access to justice | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Women in law firms/ legal profession | Feminism vs Patriarchal system | Violence against women | | "Street Legal" is New Zealand's most popular legal drama, running for four seasons. The television series concentrates upon the career of David Silesi, a Samoan lawyer in Auckland. Silesi is always involved in interesting and bizarre cases, acting for underdog clients. Taking on these cases often involves Selesi in romances, shoot-outs, car chases and punch-ups. A large segment of the show is set in Silesi's chambers, providing the viewing public with one perspective of a lawyer's working day. While Silesi's office is no ordinary one, it is a more accurate reflection of the reality for most lawyers than trial scenes.
Mentoring of junior solicitors. Drug law. The role of the Law Society. Law and religion for eg. withholding of medical treatment on religious grounds. Client confidentiality. Law practice politics and judicial corruption. | 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 mins 2 episode | Screenworks | |
| Sunset Village | Sargeson, Frank | | Novel | 1976 | 2 | Importance of advocacy | Corruption in the legal system | Court procedure | Women in law | Importance of jury | Arrest procedure | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Coercive power of the law | Perceptions of judges | Importance of due process | | Man is arrested and waiting for trial - Jury selection process.
Law as a means of social control. Ceremonial nature of law. View of law from policeman's perspective. Advantages of jury trial to the accused. | pp 82-91 | A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington | |
| "Supreme Court" in Concrete Reality | Shadbolt, Tim | | Poetry | 1981 | 4 | Perceptions of judges | role of the media | Legal jargon | Law exploiting people's misery | Nature used as a contrast to law | Distrust of the legal system | | About the Supreme Court. Analogy between judges and vampire bats.
Role of media in sensationalising trials. | | Republican Press, Dunedin | |
| "Takaparawha (Bastion Point)" in Karanga | Williams, Haare | | Poetry | 1981 | 5 | Treaty criticism/ issues | racism of the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Land issues | Use of violence by legal system | | Bastion Point protests. | p 31 | Coromandel Press, Coromandel | |
| "Tama Te Ora" in Storyteller | Williamson, Simon | | Poetry | 2002 | 3 | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Tino rangatiratanga | | About a Maori who gets a job in the civil service.
Concept of Maori selling out by joining the Pakeha establishment. | pp 231-232 | HeadworX, Wellington | |
| "Te Kooti" in Karanga | Williams, Haare | | Poetry | 1981 | 5 | Law and religion | Legal history | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | | About Te Kooti and challenge to law. | p 25 | Coromandel Press, Coromandel | |
| Te Kooti Trail, The | Hayward, Rudall based on "History of the NZ Wars" by Cowan, James | Hayward, Rudall | Feature Film | 1927 | 5 | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Corruption in the legal system | Tino rangatiratanga | | Portrays the campaign to catch Te Kooti during the late 1860s. Gilbert Mair, head of the colonial forces single-handedly fights and defeats Te Kooti's men.
Head of the colonial forces: "Vengeance is an ugly thing for a white man to speak of but I swear that I shall never rest until I bring that bloody monster, Baker McLean [Maori] to justice!" | 51 mins | Whakatane Films | |
| Te raukura = The feathers of the albatross: a narrative play in two acts | Dansey, Harry | | Play | 1974 | 2 | Legal history | Land issues | racism of the law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Injustice | | Set in the middle of the New Zealand Wars - Discussion between the paternalistic, authoritarian Governor Grey and the humanitarian, pro-Maori Chief Justice Martin - This discussion concerns the fairness of the way Maori have been treated with regards to land- Martin advocates law and order through impartial justice for both Maori and Pakeha. | pp 22-25 | Longman Paul, Auckland | |
| "Theft" in Graeme Lay (ed) Metro Fiction | Lay, Graeme | | Short Story | 1987 | 5 | Alternative code of rules | Youth and law | Criminal stigma | | Boy steals bicycle, his father offers the victim compensation to avoid legal action. | pp 65-6 | Metro Publishing, Auckland | |
| Thousand-Eyed Eel: a sequence of poems from the Maori Land March 1975 | Lindsay, Graham | | Poetry | 1976 | 3 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Law as a tool of oppression | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | racism of the law | Tino rangatiratanga | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Land issues | Legal history | Politics and law | | Maori Land March | | Hawk Press, Christchurch | |
| Tiberius at the Beehive | Ireland, Kevin | | Poetry | 1990 | 4 | Politics and law | Individual rights vs public safety | Fairness | | Justice as a swear word. Series of connected poems about a political tyrant. | p 52 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| To Love a Maori | Hayward, Rudall and Hayward, Ramai | Hayward, Rudall and Hayward, Ramai and Francis, Diane | Feature Film | 1972 | 2 | Law as a tool of oppression | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | racism of the law | Perceptions of lawyers | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Elitism of the law | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | | Young Maori people come to the big city and get in trouble with the law. One starts a relationship with a pakeha girl. Faces resistance from her parents and discrimination when trying to rent a house. Another is kidnapped by sailors for four weeks and another is used as a lookout for a criminal gang but is let off by the police. Important discussion at 60 mins, Pakeha girl's father discusses Maori and the law with his lawyer friend while playing golf.
Paternalistic attitude towards Maori. Racial discrimination and housing. | 28, 30, 60, 65, 71, 82 mins | Rudall and Ramai Hayward Film Productions | |
| Tooth and Claw | McGee, Greg | | Play | 1984 | 1 | Perceptions of lawyers | Cliche Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | Ethics | Glamorous lifestyles of legal professionals | Elitism of the law | Perceptions of judges | Law school | Law in literature within law in literature | Legal jargon | Absence of law | Natural law | Corruption in the legal system | Eccentric lawyer stereotype | Public vs private life of lawyers | The way lawyers view the law | Perceptions of law firms | Clients | Law as a game | Treatment of Maori and Pakeha under the law | racism of the law | Women in law firms/ legal profession | | About a successful lawyer, Oliver, who is struggling with the relationship between law and morality/ legal and social ethics. Having extra-marital affair with his secretary. Misappropriating clients funds cf. "That Man Harlington". In the end Oliver does the right thing.
"Is this your pound of flesh"- allusion to "Merchant of Venice". Alcoholic lawyer stereotype. Legal secretary as romantic interest. Lawyer without morals. The importance of becoming a partner. Law as an elite secret society. Reluctance of old lawyers to embrace new ways. Futility of legal aid cases. Concept of the reasonable person. Judge as moral vacuum. Philosophy of legal ethics compare with practical reality. Unrealistic law school perceptions of being a lawyer (6 minute units). Abuse of lawyer- client fiduciary relationship. Law society as ethical arbiter in NZ legal system. | pp 7-94 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Totem Hole, The | Shannon, Paul | | Novel | 2007 | 5 | Law as a tool of oppression | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Individual rights vs public safety | | About the criminal underworld in Auckland. Police investigating character using Misuse of Drugs Act 1993.
Police hiding behind oppressive legislation. | pp 35, 126, 288 | Penguin, Auckland | |
| Trade Me: the Novel | Vause, Geoff | | Novel | 2006 | 5 | routine of court procedure | | Common law disputes occurring amongst people on Trade Me. | p 84 | Tauiwi, Wellington | |
| "Tree: A Story, The" in the Red Tram | Stead, C.K. | | Poetry | 2004 | 3 | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Legal jargon | Perceptions of judges | Common man facing the law | Witnesses | Law as ineffective | | A trespass and assault scene seen from different perspectives: the writer, the neighbour, the cat, the police officer, the thrush, the judge.
Police persecution of left wing intellectuals. Tension between the police and the courts. The vagracies of legal language eg. Reasonable force. The fact that legal justice depends on perspectives (critical legal studies/ post modernism). | pp 11-12 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| "Trial" in Atua Wera | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1997 | 3 | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | racism of the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Law as a tool of oppression | Cause celebre trials | Legal history | | Te Whiti - Tohu - Parihaka - Trial of Te Whiti's followers | p 235 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| "Trial of a General" in A Burnt Child - Collected Plays | Richards, Mark | | Play | 1989 | 5 | Difference between civilian law and martial law | routine of court procedure | | Military trial | pp 228-229, 232-233, 238, 240 | Hudson/Cresset, Auckland | |
| "Trick of the Light" in Plays 1: Small Towns and Sea | Duncum, Ken | | Play | 2005 | 1 | Injustice | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Corruption in the legal system | Distrust of the legal system | Law school | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Legal history | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Cause celebre trials | | Play about Arthur Allan Thomas case. Main character police officer involved in the investigation. | pp 206-207, 250-253 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Trifecta | | | Television movie | | 1 | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of lawyers | Cliche Cliche relationship between legal secretary and lawyer | Law exploiting people's misery | Clients | | Story loosely based on the Renshaw Edwards affair early 1990s. Lawyer Grant Hilliard found guilty of embezzeling 6 million dollars of clients' funds. Supposedly a compulsive gambler but turns out that gambling is only a front for a complex conspiracy. Hilliard is sentenced to five years in prison and is struck off the role. Journalist is doing a story on Hilliard and eventually enters into a criminal pact with the lawyer. At one point the journalist is kidnapped by the lawyer's thugs.
Embezzlement- Legal fiction reflecting legal reality eg. Renshaw Edwards- Role of law society in law society's fidelity fund- Client confidentiality- Lawyers exacerbating conflict. | | | |
| Ugly, The | Reynolds, Scott | Reynolds, Scott | Feature Film | 1997 | 5 | role of the media | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | Court procedure | Ethics | Sentencing issues | | Karen a psychologist is trying to prove that murderer Simon is cured. Simon was unfit to stand trial and was admitted to an asylum. He ends up killing two of his caregivers in the asylum and tries to kill Karen. | 36, 39 mins | Essential Films | |
| Union Belle | Challinor, Deborah | | Novel | 2005 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | Politics and law | Elitism of the law | Corruption in the legal system | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | Legal history | Individual rights vs public safety | Importance of due process | | The Huntly coal mine strike of 1951 (striking in support of the waterfront workers). The government introduces emergency regulations. It is about unions battling the government.
Governments using oppressive legal measures during times of emergency. | pp 18, 53, 134, 172-3 | Harper Collins, Auckland | |
| "Unless" in Atua Wera | Smithyman, Kendrick | | Poetry | 1997 | 5 | Law and religion | Public/ admin law | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | | Papahurihia movement. | p 172 | Auckland University Press, Auckland | |
| Until Proven Innocent | Malane, Donna with Boock, Paula | Burger, Peter | Television movie | 2009 | 1 | Women in law | Violence against women | Importance of advocacy | Importance of jury | Importance of evidence in criminal conviction | role of the media | Perceptions of judges | Witnesses | Corruption in the legal system | Criminal stigma | Appearance of courtroom | Perceptions of lawyers | Frustration with the legal system | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Distrust of the legal system | Injustice | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Public pressure on justice system can affect change | role of police in the criminal justice system in criminal justice system | Use of trial as dramatic construct | Suffering of victims of crime | | Based on the story of David Dougherty who was wrongfully convicted of raping an eleven year old girl. Case turned on DNA evidence which eventually proved that Dougherty was innocent. Dougherty's case is taken up by a lawyer and a journalist. Dougherty is found guilty in the first trial and loses the appeal but then is aquitted in a retrial when new DNA evidence surfaces. Shows the various trials including the Court of Appeal.
Miscarriage of justice. Nature of appeal process- ruthless nature of cross examination- complete failure of a justice system convicting an innocent man cf "Beyond Reasonable Doubt"- fallibility of expert witnesses- interpretation of term "until proven innocent"- importance of petition to the Governor General- the controversial nature of child witness evidence cf Peter Ellis case- gruelling nature of court process for rape victims- hero lawyer. | 1, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28, 34, 38, 44, 49, 54, 62, 64, 71, 76, 78, 82 mins | Lippy Pictures | |
| "utterances: Sir George Grey and Te Kooti 1878" in Our Bay of Ensigns and Other 'Race' Relations | Gadd, Bernard | | Poetry | 2001 | 3 | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Legal history | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | racism of the law | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | | Imaginary conversation between George Grey (paternalistic approach) and Te Kooti - Dialogue about supplementing Maori tradition and beliefs with the Pakeha equivalent (i.e. religion, politics, law) | pp 36-37 | HeadworX, Wellington | |
| Utu | Murphy, Geoff, Aberdein, Keith | Murphy, Geoff | Feature Film | 1983 | 1 | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Legal jargon | Vigilantism as justice | Difference between civilian law and martial law | Unforgiving nature of martial law | Legal history | Land issues | Tradition of British/ Pakeha legal system/ institution | Use of violence by legal system | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | | A kupapa Maori deserts the colonial forces after they destroy his village and vows utu. He kills a farmer's wife, three British soldiers and some civilians. He is hunted through the bush by Lieutenant Scott and then eventually caught and summarily tried in a military trial conducted by Scott. Sentenced to be executed by firing squad. Different parties fighting over who gets to kill him. Eventually his brother carries out his execution according to Maori custom. Trial scene at the end of the movie.
[Te Wheke, Maori leader: "I took up arms against the Pakeha because I could no longer believe in pakeha justice. Shoot me but do not talk of justice or mercy"] Use of common legal terms eg. "without prejudice". | 108, 118 mins | Utu Productions | |
| Vector File, The | Original story by McFadyen, Ian and Southam, Kylie | Christopher, Elliot | Feature Film | 2001 | 5 | Importance of due process | role of police in the criminal justice system | | Gerry's daughter finds a DNA code that could cause the destruction of the human race. The Russians who own the DNA code and a group of terrorists go after Gerry. They break into his house and also try to frame him. He is investigated by the police. | 30, 31, 83 mins | Daybreak Pacific | |
| Viewing Platform: a novel, The | Wedde, Ian | | Novel | 2006 | 5 | Law school | Law as route to power | | About a group of tourists travelling around New Zealand.
Law school as a high status educational opportunity. | p 70 | Penguin Group, Auckland | |
| "Waitangi I" in Hui | Glover, Marewa | | Poetry | 2001 | 4 | Tino rangatiratanga | Treaty criticism/ issues | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | | Waitangi Day protest | p 33 | Marewa Glover, Auckland | |
| "Waitangi II" in Hui | Glover, Marewa | | Poetry | 2001 | 4 | Tino rangatiratanga | | Maori independence.
Reciprocal rights and responsibilites that Maori independence would bring. | p 34 | Marewa Glover, Auckland | |
| Warzones | Beaglehole, Helen | | Novel | 2005 | 3 | Law as a tool of oppression | Politics and law | Plight of the underdog in the legal system | Criminal stigma | Individual rights vs public safety | Effect of legal proceedings on close friends and family | Arrest procedure | Perceptions of judges | Injustice | | Father who is a conscientious objector during WWII, put in gaol and son dealing with the consequences of his father's moral stand. While serving time the father stands up for a fellow prisoner against the authorities.
Governments using oppressive legal measures during times of emergency. "You could say he's doing just what a succession of judges have done to your father - silencing the dissent" | pp 8-12, 63-65, 83-85, 93-94, 118, 122-123 | Steele Roberts, Wellington | |
| "Wasters, The" in Collected Poems by John Paisley | Paisley, John | | Poetry | 1988 | 3 | Law and religion | Natural law | Hypocrisy of law | | Capital punishment debate - Comparison between hanged man and people dying everyday from other causes.
Law and religion (God's justice vs Human justice) | p 43 | Dawn Ross, Dunedin | |
| "Whaea Kairau" in Kohunga and Whaea Kairau: Mother Hundred Eater | Taylor, Apirana | | Play | 1999 | 5 | Treaty criticism/ issues | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Tino rangatiratanga | | About events occuring soon after the treaty. | pp 96-7 | Pohutukawa Press, Auckland | |
| Whanau II | Ihimaera, Witi | | Novel | 2004 | 2 | Elitism of the law | Law as route to power | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Sentencing issues | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | racism of the law | | About someone researching the trial of Hamiora Pere. Two young Maori discovering themselves and their whakapapa and the way in which their race was oppressed by Pakeha law. | pp 43, 94-5, 102-105, 112-3, 159-161, 221 | Reed Publishing, Auckland | |
| What Becomes of the Broken Hearted | Duff, Alan | | Novel | 1996 | 1 | Witnesses | Alternative code of rules | Traditional legal concepts of Maori | Perceptions of lawyers | Absence of law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | Inaccessibility of the law- costs | Law and popular culture | | Trial scene - Jake the Muss's son is giving evidence in a murder trial
Absence of law pervades novel. Perception of court gained from TV cf the reality of it. Dignity gained from learning and social status. Witness statement. Witness intimidation. Witness protection. | pp 211-216 | Random House, Auckland | |
| What Becomes of the Broken Hearted | Duff, Alan | Mune, Ian | Feature Film | 1999 | 2 | Absence of law | Alternative code of rules | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | | Sequel to 'Once were Warriors'. Shows the redemption of Jake from violent thug to caring father. Focuses on gang violence. The movie begins with Jake's son, Nig, being murdered by a gang. Jake eventually gets his own revenge on the killers. Police/ justice system play virtually no role in the story.
At 27 mins Jake gets into a fight in a bar and assaults innocent patrons with no police presence at all. Jake operating in his own justice system. | 4, 6, 9, 18, 27, 34, 62, 82, 90 mins | South Pacific Pictures and Polygram Films Entertainment | |
| Where Rivers Meet | Leary, L.P. | | Novel | 1989 | 3 | Legal history | Maori justice vs Pakeha justice | Isolated rural area in NZ beyond the power of the law | Criminal stigma | Corruption in the legal system | Perceptions of judges | Importance of jury | Witnesses | Legal jargon | | Historical fiction, doctor convicted of killing father, innocent. | pp 5-10,98-100 | Southern Lights, Auckland | |
| "white boys" in Stones in Her Mouth | Potiki, Roma | | Poetry | 1992 | 4 | Perceptions of lawyers | Elitism of the law | Alienation from the legal system- Maori | racism of the law | | About a white gang beating someone up | pp 43 | IWA Associates, Auckland | |
| "Witness Man, The" in Palms and Minarets | O'Sullivan, Vincent | | Short Story | 1992 | 3 | Importance of advocacy | Witnesses | Law as a game | Alienation of Pacific Islanders from the legal system | racism of the law | role of police in the criminal justice system | Hypocrisy of law | Corruption in the legal system | Importance of jury | | Witness in a rape trial.
Manipulation of the legal system to enable the guilty to get off. Alienation of the witness, feeling out of place and trapped in the stand. Lawyer trying to manipulate the witness. Prejudice towards poor, untidy, male, Islander cf well dressed, middle class female. | pp 96-107 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| "Witnesses" in Poems 1960-2000 | Adcock, Fleur | | Poetry | 2000 | 1 | Unfairness of the legal system to women | Violence against women | Legal ramifications of divorce | Access to justice | Court procedure | Hypocrisy of law | Sacrifice of human element for fact and procedure | Witnesses | Domestic violence - Court case - Lawyer is cross-examining wife - Child custody | p 189 | Blood Axe Books, Newcastle upon Tyne | |
| Work in Progress | Thomas, Paul | | Novel | 2006 | 5 | Importance of advocacy | Legal ramifications of divorce | Perceptions of lawyers | | About the party crowd in Auckland getting into trouble. | pp 271-2, 284 | Random House, Auckland | |
| "XVII An Act to Make Provision" in Good Luck | Livsey, Anna | | Poetry | 2003 | 5 | Law as a tool of oppression | racism of the law | | Oppressive Acts towards Aborigines in Australia | pp 87-88 | Victoria University Press, Wellington | |
| Zilch | Riddiford, Richard | Riddiford, Richard | Feature Film | 1989 | 4 | Importance of advocacy | Perceptions of judges | Perceptions of lawyers | routine of court procedure | | Sam and Curtis, telephone operators find out that development company Infacorp is using a video to blackmail the harbour commissioner to secure a contract for a second harbour crossing via a harbour tunnel even though the soil is unstable. The habour tunnel contract is unsuccessful in the end. At 12 mins there is a court scene involving a minor character at the beginning of the movie. Charged person pleads not guilty and is denied bail. The lawyer looks like a used car salesman. | 12, 28, 39, 83 mins | Park Avenue Productions and Vardex Group | |