On 23 November 2023, the New Zealand Asian Lawyers ran their third and final wānanga on the pivotal developments between Tikanga and the Law. The presentation was led with special reference to He Poutama (Pūrongo Rangahau | Study Paper 24) by Te Aka Matua o te Ture, the Law Commission.
The latter helps to fill a very important gap, as tikanga has been, and will continue to be, recognized in the development of the common law of Aotearoa New Zealand. Tikanga is the first law of Aotearoa New Zealand and continues to shape and regulate the lives of Māori.
Guests were offered an insightful overview of this landscape, with reference to recent engagement and a special note on the application of tikanga in the employment law jurisdiction.
Special thanks to Hon Justice Christian Whata, Hon Justice Layne Harvey, Hon Chief Judge Christina Inglis, Annette Sykes, Alan Galbraith KC and Jack Hodder KC for their expertise, honesty and perspective, and to Russel McVeagh for sponsoring and offering NZAL their offices to host the event.
A link to the Law Commission’s Study Paper 24 can be found here.