The 2022 Annual Norris Ward McKinnon Lecture
'Te Ao Mārama: It's a Matter of Fairness'Being seen, heard, understood and participating in the criminal justice system’ by Judge John Walker
As part of his upcoming lecture in the Norris Ward McKinnon Lecture Series, Judge John Walker will expand on Chief District Court Judge Taumaunu’s lecture of 2020 and approach Te Ao Mārama, the vision for the District Court, through a jurisprudential lens. He will discuss how Te Ao Mārama is grounded in values of procedural fairness and legitimacy, which give it a convincing justification.
His Honour will also expand on what it means for people to be seen, heard, understood and meaningfully participate in the criminal justice system, whether they are defendants, victims, whānau, hapū, iwi or other members of the community.As Principal Youth Court Judge for New Zealand, Judge Walker will discuss the journey of the Youth Court from its origin to the present day, and explore how the Youth Court too has been on a journey to an enlightened world. His Honour will note how the principles of the Youth Court and the Young Adult List have influenced Te Ao Mārama to a great extent.
Date: Tuesday 20 September 2022
Time: 6:00pm
Venue: Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato
Please RSVP for the livestream here
The Annual Norris Ward McKinnon Lecture at Te Piringa - Faculty of Law
Te Piringa – Faculty of Law is delighted to continue its collaboration with Norris Ward McKinnon hosting this public event.
Designed as an annual event, the lecture series began as a way to address issues relating to the development of jurisprudence in New Zealand.
Now running for over 27 years, the Annual Norris Ward McKinnon Public Lecture brings distinguished scholars and members of the profession to the Waikato campus. This series has attracted national attention for its roster of speakers selected from New Zealand’s leading experts in the field of jurisprudence, NZ law and policy, and social justice. Over the years, distinguished guest speakers included Dame Sian Elias, Hon. Justice Baragwanath, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Dame Sylvia Cartwright and many others.
The series helped to foster the relationship between the Hamilton Legal profession, the Hamilton law society, and Te Piringa – Faculty of Law.
The lecture is traditionally the lead article in Waikato Law Review.
Norris Ward McKinnon is a full service legal firm with nearly 100 years of history and expertise in the Waikato region. The firm celebrated its centenary in 2019 and prides itself on looking after clients with professionalism and respect, offering clients specialist legal expertise backed by experience.
Past Events
2020 - Improving Access to Justice
Chief District Court Judge Taumaunu discussed the importance of improving accessibility to the justice system in New Zealand. In this lecture, Chief Judge Taumaunu shared his thoughts on the modern-day pursuit of Te Ao Mārama as it relates to the way forward for New Zealand’s District Court; a place where all New Zealanders should feel that they can come to seek justice, and be heard and understood.
2019 - The Challenge of the Treaty for Lawyers and Judges: 25 years on
Judge O'Regan discussed two significant legal events in the Waikato. These two events were Cooke P’s lecture of 1994 on “The Challenge of Treaty of Waitangi Jurisprudence,” and the signing of the Crown/Waikato-Tainui Heads of Agreement on 21 December 1994. These events were momentous, as they were the prelude to the signing of the Deed of Settlement in 1995, which settled the Raupatu claim and was the first tribal settlement.
His lecture was based on his personal experiences as a lawyer acting for the Crown in Treaty settlements (notably, in the present context, the Waikato-Tainui settlement in 1995), and as a Judge dealing with litigation arising from disputes about Treaty settlements. He discussed some of the successes, failures and issues of the last 25 years based on his involvement, and examining significant cases.
2018 - Aiming at Simplicity
It may not be apparent to those inside the legal tent, but law is complicated. This is obvious to the public who have to make sense of what lawyers say. The legal world also pays a great price. At best, hacking their way through unnecessary complexity wastes time and money. At worst, it can derail the whole attempt to think clearly.
Simple concepts promote lucid reasoning. Simple language is more readily understood. It is up to everyone in the legal community - judges, advocates, solicitors, lecturers and textbook writers – to do better. The Hon Robert Fisher shared his insights and offered some ideas how to go about making it simpler.
2017 - The Future of the Adversarial Process - Evolution or Death?
A special panel discussion facilitated by Phillip Morgan QC explored the pros and cons of the adversarial process as encountered by the panelists and discussed the skill-set required of lawyers to perform effectively in the Judicial System, now and in the future.
2016 - Has New Zealand Criminal Justice System Been Compromised?
Long-serving judge Hon Sir Ron Young says the right to a fair trial in New Zealand is being undermined in a variety of ways.
2015 - The Vision and the Reality
Judge MacLean draws on his 35 years of experience as a Coroner reflected on Coronial death investigation 15 years after the August 2000 Law Commission report “Coroners".
2014 - Law Making in New Zealand: Is There a Better Way?
The former prime minister and president of the Law Commission has looked at aspects of law-making from a number of perspectives; as an academic, legal practitioner and politician. He said New Zealand law-making system needs urgent attention.
2013 - Lex Aotearoa: An Heroic Attempt to Map the Maori Dimension in Modern New Zealand Law
by Hon. Justice Joseph Williams
2012 - Restorative Justice: Lessons from the Past, Pointers and the Future
by Judge Sir David Carruthers
2011 - Fundamentals: A Constitutional Conversation
by Rt. Hon. Dame Sian Elias
2010 - From Privy Council to Supreme Court: A Rite of Passage for New Zealand’s Legal System
by Professor Margaret Wilson, DCNZM
2009- Chipping Away at the Judicial Arm?
by Hon. Justice John Priestley
2008 - Hard Cases and Bad Law
Hon. Justice Paul Heath
2007 - The Evolution of Treaty Jurisprudence
by Hon. Justice Baragwanath
2006 - The New Miscarriages of Justice
by Hon. Justice Grant Hammond
2005 - Approaches to Business Rehabilitation
by Hon. Justice Blanchard
2004 - The Appearance of Justice
by Hon. Justice Noel Anderson
2003 - Statutes and the Ordinary Person
by John F Burrows
2002 - Journalistic Responsibility, Freedom of Speech and Protection of Reputation - Striking the Right Balance Between Citizens and the Media
by Rt. Hon. Justice Tipping
2001 - Some Human Rights Issues
by Hon. Dame Sylvia Cartwright
2000 - The Conscience of the Law
by Rt. Hon. Justice Thomas
1999 - The Crown, the Parliament and the Government
by John McGrath QC
1998 - The Impact of International Law on New Zealand Law
by Rt. Hon. Sir Kenneth Keith
1997 - Continuity and Change: The 1996 General Election and the Role of the Governor-General
by Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys
1996 - “Hard Look” and the Judicial Function
by Sian Elias
1995 - Public Interest Litigation
by Rt. Hon. Sir Ivor Richardson
1994 - The Challenge of Treaty of Waitangi Jurisprudence
by Rt .Hon. Sir Robin Cooke
1993 - The New Zealand Court Structure, Past Present and Future
by Sir Thomas Eichelbaum
1992 - The Development of a New Zealand Jurisprudence
by Hon Justice Gault