About Us FAQ/Help

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Membership FAQs

To join the Association, select Join Us from the homepage menu.  Select the appropriate membership type (full or associate) and the category of membership, which is based on your experience level.  The system will guide you through creating a profile and will send you a password.  From there you can follow the online instruction to apply for membership. 

Full Membership and some Associate Member categories will be approved and granted within a couple of days. Some Associate Member applications require approval by the Management Committee which is done at its next meeting. If you need information about membership, please phone the NZBA Administrator on (09) 303 4515 between 9am - 3pm to discuss your options.

Login to your member portal using your email as your username and enter your password.  Edit your membership details on your profile as required. 

You will need your login details and member number to download and access the Member Benefits App. This information is located on your profile in our member portal. Login using the button on the top right, then navigate to your profile. 

Once you have those, you can download the app and start using it.  Full instructions on how to do that can be downloaded here.

Or you can view a short video demonstration to assist you here.

If you have already downloaded the app and it was once working but does not seem to be now. Firstly visit the app store, search for the NZBA member benefits app, select it and you should have a choice to uninstall or update.  Try update first and choose the re-register option rather than the uninstall option.  If that does not work uninstall and view this video to re-install. If that does not work contact the administrator.

Events and Training

Go to the event and click register, located on the right beneath the event cost details. Once you have registered for the event, you will be emailed any corresponding details. If you have any issues, please get in contact. 

We are currently upgrading our system and your CPD may not be currently visible. We will let you know when this has been introduced. In the meantime, please get in contact if you need details on this. 

Legal Profession

For those wishing to appear at the ceremony (i.e. those wishing to sit in front of the bar) attire is either:

  1. full ceremonial attire – which includes a wig, white court shirt, bands, black jacket and gown; or
  2. a gown over business clothing.

NOTE: Wigs should not be worn unless full traditional attire is selected.

Otherwise, barristers who are not attired in one of those ways may join the ceremony by sitting behind the bar, in the public gallery.

Many lawyers in New Zealand practise as solicitors (also known as barristers and solicitors) and work in law firms, companies or for government departments. A barrister is someone who practises at the Independent Bar. They are specialist litigators or advisors. The members of the NZBA are barristers. For more information visit our page about barristers.

The New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) is responsible for regulating lawyers (including barristers) who practise law in New Zealand. It operates the Lawyers Complaints Service. The Service handles all complaints about:

  • Lawyers or former lawyers;
  • Incorporated law firms or former incorporated law firms;
  • People who are not lawyers but who are or were an employee of a lawyer or an incorporated law firm.

Complaints about former lawyers/incorporated law firms can only be made if the conduct complained about occurred when the person concerned was a lawyer.

Click here to be directed to the NZLS Complaints Service.

We are currently upgrading our Find a Barrister system. If you need assistance in finding a barrister please contact us. 

If you are looking for a solicitor (not a barrister), follow this link to the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) Get legal help section.

Lawyers from other jurisdictions wanting to come to New Zealand to work will need to apply through the Law Society. Information is available on their website. You can also information relating to working and living in New Zealand on the New Zealand Now website.