
CEREL
People
Director
Barry Barton 's field of research is energy, natural resources and environmental law, and specifically at present on mining law, energy efficiency law, and on property rights to subsurface minerals and formations. He is part of the research team for the Āmiomio Aotearoa Circular Economy research programme. He is active in the Section on Energy, Environment, Resources and Infrastructure Law of the International Bar Association, as a member of the Section Council and the Section's Academic Advisory Group. More »
Faculty Members


Nathan Cooper works at the interface of environmental law and human rights law. He has a particular focus on water governance and on the concept of property in the age of the Anthropocene. More »
Trevor Daya-Winterbottom combines research and teaching at the Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, with legal consultancy and practice as a Barrister sole. He holds a BA (Hons) in Law from the Times Higher Education top 100 under 50 ranked Liverpool John Moores University, where highlights of the degree course included studying public international law with Professor Malcolm Shaw QC and Professor Patrick Thornberry CMG, and studying jurisprudence with the renowned Jewish legal scholar, Professor Bernard Jackson. More »
Alexander Gillespie specializes in international environmental law. He is particularly focused on issues of conservation and biodiversity, although he is also author of three books on climate change and the law. He was the first New Zealander to be Rapporteur for the World Heritage Convention, and has provided legal and policy advice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Conservation. More »
Robert Joseph , of Tainui and Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu descent, teaches, researches and publishes in the areas of Maori and Indigenous good governance and sustainable natural resource management. He is particularly interested in the appropriate incorporation of Indigenous customary laws and institutions within respective common law jurisdictions in areas such as freshwater rights and responsibilities, climate change and emission trading schemes, wahi tapu or sacred spaces, and the foreshore and seabed. More »
Linda Te Aho , of Waikato-Tainui and Ngati Koroki Kahukura descent, teaches and researches in the area of sustainable development and management of natural resources. Linda has a particular interest in indigenous participation in environmental governance, indigenous rights and responsibilities in relation to freshwater, and river restoration. She participates in tribal environmental governance, and is a member of the Guardians Establishment Committee, a co-management entity created under a recent settlement involving the Waikato River. More »
Valmaine Toki , of Nga Puhi, Ngati Wai and Ngati Rehua descent. Valmaine completed an MBA from the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, focusing on marine resource management, spanning strategic planning, economic growth, management planning, and sustainable practices. Valmaine has assisted in cases to the Maori Land Court, the Environment Court, and the High Court and as a Treaty negotiator for her hapu. Her research interests lie within the area of human and indigenous rights, therapeutic jurisprudence and resource management. More »