IBA report calls for urgent reforms to support women in the legal profession
20 March 2026A new International Bar Association (IBA) report has identified persistent structural barriers preventing women lawyers from progressing into senior leadership roles, despite increased awareness and diversity initiatives across the profession. The Raising the Bar: Women in Law – Phase 2 Report draws on a global survey of 5,000 women lawyers…
Read moreInternational Women’s Day
06 March 2026On Sunday 8 March we celebrate International Women’s Day. While there is still mahi to be done to achieve gender equity in the legal profession, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to pause and acknowledge – with gratitude – the courage, leadership and persistence of those who came before us…
Read more2025 Gender Equality Charter Survey – Supplementary Report
20 February 2026The New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture has welcomed the release by the New Zealand Law Society of the 2025 Gender Equality Charter Survey – Supplementary Report, which provides additional analysis and context to the Summary Report published in late 2025.
Read moreAI, Accuracy and Advocacy: A Timely Reminder for Barristers
19 February 2026Recent comments from the Supreme Court provide a stark reminder of the risks associated with the uncritical use of artificial intelligence in litigation. The Court has affirmed that responsibility rests with the person filing submissions to ensure that all authorities cited are genuine and accurately referenced.
Read moreMaster Anne Gambrill CNZM
13 February 2026The Bar Association notes the passing of Master Anne Gertrude Gambrill (née Shorland) CNZM (1934–2026) on 10 February 2026
Read moreAuthorised Provider Prison Entry (APPE)
29 January 2026The Authorised Provider Prison Entry System (APPE) is an electronic system that records people entering and exiting prisons. APPE will improve sign in/out processes and replace paper-based systems at the main entry gate and exit.
Read moreCongratulations to New Year’s Honours’ recipients
15 January 2026The Bar Association congratulates the legal professionals recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours for their contributions to law, justice, and the community. We also acknowledge the many Justices of the Peace honoured for their dedication to community service.
Read moreA Candid Look at Parenthood and Practice
17 December 2025The pressure to maintain a busy practice while navigating the demands of family life presents unique challenges, often amplified by the unpredictability of litigation. This article draws directly from the experiences of our members, who share their candid insights on managing court work and family systems.
Read moreRapley heads to Keble College
09 December 2025Witnessing skilful advocacy is rare. Most lawyers appearing in court never perform as well as they should or could. Trial advocacy is a skill. It is a skill that can be taught. It is a skill that can be acquired. I believe the only way to effectively learn and improve…
Read moreThe Human Cost Behind SVA Prosecutions
08 December 2025The report It’s a Love–Hate Relationship: Female Crown Prosecutors’ Experiences of Prosecuting Sexual Violence and Abuse Cases was published as part of a research project by the Schools of Psychology and Law at Victoria University of Wellington, examining how female Crown prosecutors experience the unique demands of sexual violence and…
Read moreSentencing Advocacy Competition 2025
08 October 2025The 2025 Sentencing Advocacy Competition reached its conclusion with a final held in the historic Courtroom 1 of the Auckland High Court on 30 September 2025. Presided over by Justice Wilkinson-Smith, the event showcased the advocacy skills of two finalists: Mira Askari, who was named the winner, and runner-up Ina…
Read more2025 Access to Justice Award Winner
17 September 2025Sonja Cooper has been awarded the 2025 Access to Justice Award, sponsored by LexisNexis New Zealand and the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o Te Ture, for her decades of work for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. For more than 30 years, Cooper has…
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