2026 Government Law: Year in Review

2026 Government Law: Year in Review

This annual seminar will explain and discuss key developments in government law over the past year. Topics include human rights, administrative law and judicial review, the Treaty of Waitangi / te Tiriti o Waitangi and international law. The keynote topic – “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty: implications for Aotearoa New Zealand and the international legal order” – will also look at the implications of the recently agreed major treaty governing the law of the sea.

Date: Wednesday 18 February 2026
Time: 10:30am—4:45pm 
Venue: LT1, Rutherford House, Pipitea

Format: In-person and online
Cost (ex GST):
In-person registration fee—$200 
On-line registration fee—$175
In-person and online Students—$60 
In-person and online Unwaged—$65

Please contact us for group bookings.

Book here

The event can be attended in-person or online.

CPD compatible (4.5 hours)

Programme

TimeDetails
10:20-10:50 amArrival and Registration
10:50-11:00 am

Mihi and welcome

  • Dr Marnie Lloydd (NZ Centre for Public Law)
  • Prof Dean Knight (NZ Centre for Public Law)
11:00-11:40 am

Keynote address: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty – implications for Aotearoa New Zealand and the international legal order

  • Prof Joanna Mossop (Victoria University of Wellington)
11:40-11:45 am

Update from abroad: United Kingdom

  • Dr Senthorun Raj (Manchester Metropolitan University)

11:45 am-12.30 pm

Judicial review

  • Dr Eddie Clark (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Commentator: Nicholai Anderson (Crown Law Office)
12:30-1:30 pmLunch
1:30-2:20 pm

Panel: Comparative constitutional developments in the Pacific

  • Chair Emma Dunlop-Bennett (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Tonga: Dr Mele Tupou-Vaitohi (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Fiji: Dr Andrew Erueti (University of Auckland)
  • Samoa: Wiliame Gucake (Whāia Legal)
  • Cook Islands: Dr Anna Powles (Massey University)
2:20-2:25 pm

Update from abroad: Greenland / Denmark

  • Dr Miriam Cullen (University of Copenhagen)
2:25-3:10 pm

Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi

  • Dr Luke Fitzmaurice-Brown (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Commentator: Jason Gough (Crown Law Office)
3:10-3:40 pmAfternoon Tea
3:40-3:50 pm

Eyes on the future

  • Dr Marnie Lloydd (Victoria University of Wellington)
  • Prof Dean Knight (Victoria University of Wellington)
3:50-4:30 pm

Bill of Rights Act

  • Dr Andrew Butler KC (Thorndon Chambers)
4:30-4:40 pm

Closing remarks

  • Prof Geoff McLay (Victoria University of Wellington)