Waikato Law Review

First published in 1993, Taumauri - the Waikato Law Review provides authoritative and critical analysis on a broad range of legal issues. The journal is hosted by Te Piringa Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato and reflects the Faculty’s founding objectives of biculturalism, the study of law in context, and professionalism.

Special emphasis is placed on contemporary developments in all branches of law, reflecting the Faculty’s commitment to teaching law in context. The articles published in the Waikato Law Review are designed to have the widest appeal to those interested in the law - whether as practitioners, students, teachers, judges or policy makers - and to provide an opportunity for them to keep abreast of contemporary new ideas and the progress of legal reform.

In addition to publishing articles in all branches of the law, the Waikato Law Review contains sections devoted to recent legislation and reports, case analysis, and book reviews.

Volume 32 (2025-2026) was launched recently and includes contributions from a select group of authors, including Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann, Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, University of Waikato founding Dean of Law Emeritus Professor Margaret Wilson, Māori Land Court Judge Alana Thomas, Waikato Professor Valmaine Toki (opens in a new tab) and University of Auckland Emeritus Professor Jane Kelsey.

Alongside these well-known legal figures, this edition of Taumauri showcases emerging voices in New Zealand’s legal profession.

For the first time, Taumauri features an article written entirely in te reo Māori, authored by Judge Thomas and titled Reoruatanga me ngā Kōti o Aotearoa Bilingualism and the Courts of New Zealand.

Volumes 1-32 are available under the browse online section below. 

The Waikato Law Review is jointly edited by Dr Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez and Dr Dara Dimitrov from Te Piringa Faculty of Law, School of Law, Politics and Philosophy. Dr Alvarez-Jimenez serves as a Senior Lecturer, while Dr Dimitrov contributes as a Lecturer.

Our Student Editors play an integral part in the Waikato Law Review's annual success.

This year the team consisted of Maree Rarity-Steel, Seamus Lohrey (pictured), Gemma Vranjes (pictured) and Monish Khan.