He also discusses the organisation’s biggest contribution to the NZ market
Last month, The Law Association of New Zealand announced that Tony Herring had been reappointed president of the organisation for one last term. He will lead the association alongside council members Luke Crawford, Geneva Lowe and Julie-Anne Kincade KC in his final year in the role.
NZ Lawyer caught up with Herring shortly after his reappointment; in the first part of this interview, he discusses his re-election and shares his priorities for his final year in the leadership role.
Why is your re-election as TLANZ President so important to you?
Re-election is important because we are in the middle of a significant period of transformation for The Law Association of New Zealand. We have built real momentum. We have grown our membership to more than 10,000 now which strengthens our voice through representation and advocacy, and we continue to expand the products and services we offer the profession. A final term allows me to embed the work that we have done and ensure that the organisation is in a genuinely stronger position for the future.
This will be your final year in the role – what are you looking to prioritise in this term?
This year is about delivering outcomes. It is about embedding the changes that we have made, ensuring members are seeing real value, and continuing to grow our influence across the profession. Just as importantly, it is about setting the organisation up for what comes next, ensuring there is strong leadership, clear direction and a platform for continued success.
What for you has been the best part of leading TLANZ to date?
Without question, it’s been the people – both in the profession and with our council and staff. Engaging with lawyers across the country, seeing the diversity of the profession, and building something that genuinely supports them has been incredibly rewarding. Watching The Law Association grow into a more visible and relevant organisation has been a highlight.
What in your opinion is TLANZ’s biggest contribution to the NZ legal market?
Our independence is our greatest strength. We provide a voice that is focused squarely on supporting and representing the entire legal profession, while also delivering practical tools, professional development, and connection. That combination, along with our advocacy with government and ministers is increasingly important.
