Celebrating 30 years of new frontiers: Te Piringa Faculty of Law
In 1991, when Te Piringa - Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato opened its doors, it was the beginning of a new approach to legal education in New Zealand.
Law
Study in one of the best law schools in New Zealand. Look deeper to find out why laws are made, who made them, how they work and how to change them.
Quality of training
Experience a modern approach to studying law at Waikato: critical to a successful graduate in today’s rapidly changing world.
Our focus on teaching practical skills is a key feature of the Waikato law programme; aligned with the New Zealand Council of Legal Education's standards for excellence in legal education.
Undergraduate degrees in Law at Waikato
The Bachelor of Laws degree is the professional qualification and pathway to legal practice. It offers a gateway to a world of legal opportunities, from law firms to government agencies.
All our undergraduate degrees in Law can be studied in Hamilton, Tauranga and/or online.
Top 251-300 according to the 2025 QS Subject rankings
Commitment to research
Real admission to the LLB; colleagues not competitors
Learn from award winning professors
Study a law degree in Tauranga
Students in Tauranga are able to enrol in all of our Law programmes.
This includes our:
- Diploma in Law (two-years)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Law (three-years – for students who do not wish to practice law)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree (four-years).
Postgraduate degrees as well – including the:
- Master of Laws LLM
- Master of Legal Studies MLS
- Doctor of Philosophy PhD
- Doctor of Juridical Science SJD.
Students enrolled in the Diploma in Law or the BA in Law also have the option to credit their Law papers toward completion of the Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB).
The power of language – He mana tō te reo
Te Piringa The School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy: A leader in Māori law, te reo, and indigenous issues. Committed to fostering these within the context of the Treaty of Waitangi partnership principle.
Join us in shaping a more equitable future.
Apply to study with us
Drive change in our society
Gain the skills and knowledge that meet the high demands of a wide range of careers, both inside and outside the legal profession.
Charlotte completed her law degree at the University of Waikato, and is now making a world of difference to gender equality.
Where will your law degree lead you?
Law
Enhance your legal expertise with our postgraduate degrees in Law. Our programmes offer rigorous training in legal theory and practice, preparing you for a successful career in law and the legal sector.
Law Student for a Day
Are you curious about pursuing a career in law?
Experience firsthand what it is like to be a law student at the University of Waikato at the next Law Student for a Day in 2025.
Latest news
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First wahine Māori appointed to United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)
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Law alumnus honours grandfather through new judge role
When University of Waikato law alumnus Aidan Warren was five years old, he sat on the knee of his koro who gave him some advice, “When you grow up, become a lawyer to help our people.”
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Law alumna helps protect constitutional law
Supreme Court Justice of Samoa, Leilani Tuala-Warren, considers her work in protecting constitutional law during the recent Samoan political crisis a highlight.