University of Waikato Te Piringa Faculty of Law students Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom have won the prestigious International Negotiation Competition in Halifax, Canada, defeating teams from 21 countries.
The event brings together the world's top law students to test their advocacy, strategy, and problem-solving skills.
Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom after winning the International Negotiation Competition
Representing New Zealand, Marnie and Cara went head-to-head against teams from Northern Ireland, Wales, England, and Japan across four negotiation rounds before claiming the title.
Marnie says negotiating against Japan was one of the most memorable parts of the competition.
"We really had to slow everything down to make sure there was no miscommunication with English being their second language. Everything was very literal, and it really challenged how we communicated with each other. I think that was probably the round I enjoyed the most.”
Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom saw off 21 other teams to take the title
The negotiation rounds began with all teams receiving four briefs before the competition, containing a set of general facts outlining the background and context of the scenario.
Cara says each team then received a confidential brief containing information specific to their client that the opposing team did not have access to.
"It outlined what our client was looking for, their absolute limits, any ethical considerations or confidential information we couldn’t disclose, and the motivations behind the deal."
Teams were judged throughout the competition by representatives from each participating country.
“We were judged by professors and lawyers from countries including Canada, Germany, Poland and England, which was an incredible experience,” Marnie says. “Their feedback gave us insight into a range of negotiation styles from around the world.”
Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom are the first New Zealand team since 2006 to win the title.
Cara says they naturally had nerves going into it because of the sheer scale of the competition.
“It was the world stage, with teams from so many different countries, not just competitors from around New Zealand. But we went in wanting to give it our best shot and make the most of the opportunity.”
Throughout the competition, the pair had no indication of how they were tracking until the winners were announced.
Both students are in their fourth year of study. Marnie is completing a Bachelor of Laws with a minor in Human Resource Management and hopes to pursue a career in employment law. Cara is also studying for a Bachelor of Laws and plans to work in property law.
The winning partnership began in their second year when they became Competitions Officers for the Waikato University Law Students' Association. They started competing together the following year.
Their favourite aspects of negotiation reflect their future career ambitions.
For Marnie, the strategic nature of negotiation is what makes it so rewarding.
Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom were coached by Andrew Hong a senior solicitor at McCaw Lewis lawyers
“You can prepare for the same scenario, but every negotiation unfolds differently depending on the other team. I love adapting our strategy and working through those moments when both sides are holding firm.”
For Cara, it's creativity.
“There’s often room to come up with out-of-the-box solutions that work for both parties. Having to think creatively under pressure is one of the most enjoyable parts of the competition.”
Their coach Andrew Hong is a senior solicitor at McCaw Lewis lawyers, and says the victory is a standout performance.
“I am so happy for both of them. What Marnie and Cara have achieved is unprecedented for Te Piringa, both in terms of the result and in how they carried themselves throughout the tournament. They prepared for each round meticulously, listened carefully to the feedback provided, and represented New Zealand with pride.
“Other teams consistently told me they were a joy to negotiate against, and I hope that they take a huge amount of confidence moving forward into their fledgling legal careers. They are thoroughly deserving world champions.”
Dean of Te Piringa Faculty of Law, Professor Leilani Tuala-Warren, says she is immensely proud of the students' accomplishment.
“This achievement showcases the exceptional talent we have at Te Piringa and the work our faculty does in developing young lawyers who can compete and succeed on the world stage.”
