New Zealand and Māori law societies renew their MOU
The New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture (NZBA) has signed – while the New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa (NZLS) has renewed – a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa | The Māori Law Society (THRMoA).
“The Bar Association welcomes the opportunity for our organisations to share knowledge and skills for the benefit of our members and the wider profession,” said Paul David, NZBA president, in the news release.
“Ultimately, it is about ensuring our members are supported to grow, succeed and contribute their skills and perspectives across the profession,” added Wi Pere Mita, THRMoA co-president.
According to the NZBA and THRMoA, the new MOU aims to:
“We want this relationship to create practical opportunities for members, whether through mentoring, professional development, stronger networks or pathways into the independent Bar,” Wi Pere Mita said.
“By working together, we can strengthen professional development pathways and help promote a strong independent bar in Aotearoa New Zealand,” David added in the news release.
The NZLS shared that its renewed MOU with THRMoA marks six years of their partnership thus far and supports their plans for future collaboration.
“We know that bringing different perspectives, experiences and expertise together make us stronger,” stated the NZLS update. “This renewed agreement will help us find new opportunities to collaborate where we can make a meaningful difference for lawyers, the profession and the communities we serve.”
According to the NZLS, their partnership aided their joint efforts to:
“At the heart of our partnership are people, relationships and a shared commitment to a stronger profession,” the NZLS said. “We want to create more opportunities to share knowledge and expertise, build professional capability, strengthen our connections with Māori lawyers and communities, and work together on law reform and policy where our interests align.”
Here are some other recent news stories involving the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Bar Association.
On 18 June 2026, the law society reminded law firms that were reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 of the significance of their independent audit obligations, following the Department of Internal Affairs’ public formal warnings.
On 11 June 2026, the New Zealand Human Rights Review Tribunal entirely struck out a former New Zealand legal practitioner’s proceeding alleging three causes of action based on disability discrimination against the law society.
In September 2025, Sonja Cooper received last year’s Access to Justice Award, sponsored by the bar association and LexisNexis New Zealand. She has led claims on behalf of thousands of survivors of abuse for over 30 years.
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