A year in review: Celebrating 2024 with AMINZ

From new programmes and initiatives to key advocacy efforts and memorable events, 2024 was a year of growth and connection.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate our shared successes and look back at the highlights of the year.

We Celebrated: AMINZ members continued to lead the way in alternative dispute resolution, excelling in their fields and contributing significantly to the growth of the sector:

• We congratulated three members on their appointment to the bench - Kirsty Swadling and Peter Davey as District Court Judges, and Paul Cogswell as an Associate Judge of the High Court.

• Fellow Peter Degerholm was nominated as AMINZ’s representative on the Standards New Zealand Revision Committee for NZS 3916 and NZS 3917 for building and civil engineering construction.

• Janine Stewart and Bill Gambrill were awarded Fellowship in Arbitration, while Zar Sinclair and Kim Robinson received the 2024 AMINZ scholarships.

We Advocated: We continued our advocacy efforts to ensure the voice of dispute resolution was heard at key decision-making tables.

• Two separate applications were made to the Court of Appeal seeking leave to intervene in appeals involving important questions about alternative dispute resolution.

• We advocated to the Council for Legal Education and the Regulations Review Committee for the inclusion of Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori in the legal education curriculum.

• Key relationships with government ministries including Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Primary Industries were strengthened.

• Articles published on social media, and in Rural News and Capital Letter continued to highlight AMINZ’s leading role in promoting dispute resolution and access to justice.

• We presented on the benefits of dispute resolution and the role of AMINZ at New Zealand Law Society, The Law Association of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors events.

We Announced: We celebrated significant milestones:

• John Green as an Honorary Life Member, recognising his over 30 years of dedication and support to the growth and development of AMINZ.

• Royden Hindle passing the baton of Director of Professional Studies to former Deputy Director, Paul Sills at the end of 2024. Read the media release here.

• Anselm Giemulla, our first international intern, who brought fresh perspectives from Berlin.

We Welcomed: We welcomed a new leadership team, continuing our strong tradition of excellence:

• At the beginning of 2024, AMINZ appointed Monique Pearson as Executive Director to lead the Institute into the future.

• At the AGM in July, Malcolm Wallace was elected President and Dr. Anna Kirk as Vice-President.

• Heidi van Eeden and Steve Alexander joined the Council, alongside returning members Ann Skelton, Kate Wiseman, and Set Ārena.

We Supported: 2024 saw significant progress within the office, with numerous actions that supported our mission.

• We were delighted to welcome 150 new members into our community.

• Our Mentoring Programme grew, with 39 mentors and 38 mentees participating.

• We conducted another successful Member Survey, gathering valuable feedback that is shaping new initiatives for 2025.

• We championed socially responsible gift giving through The Good Registry and Special Gifts to support our communities.

• We updated Schedule 7 of the Bylaws to improve the AMINZ disciplinary process.

from left to right Adam Lewis, Simon Jass, Royden Hindle, Pauline Courtney, Nicole Smith, Sheana Wheeldon and Malcolm Wallace

We Upskilled: Our education and events offerings were a highlight of the year, providing opportunities for over 800 participants.

• Guided by Royden Hindle, we launched our new Adjudication Skills Intensive (ADJSI).

• We delivered a two-day FDR Hui in Wellington, Rural Day in Christchurch, and Construction Day in Auckland.

• We presented our Advanced Arbitration Seminar in Auckland and facilitated seven AMINZ Mediation Skills Intensive (AMSI) programmes across the country.

• Our Annual Conference in Karaka saw the celebration of our 2023 Fellows – Sir William Young KNZM KC, Adam Lewis, Sheana Wheeldon, Pauline Courtney and Simon Jass – with Attorney General Hon Judith Collins KC MP presenting the awards.

• We co-ordinated over 20 Network Events this year. Special thanks to all our Network Convenors for arranging these events.

We Hosted: We continued to host complimentary webinars for members to expand their learning opportunities. Notable webinars included:

• Four webinars in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) focused on Farm Debt Mediation.

• A webinar exploring trends in ESG litigation with Hannah Bain from Russell McVeagh.

• A panel discussion on domestic and international arbitration, hosted by our Young AMINZ members in collaboration with the NZLS Young Lawyers Committee, among other collegial activities.

It’s been an extraordinary year, and it’s all thanks to you - our incredible community. Your support has kept our Institute strong, thriving, and exceptionally well-positioned to soar into 2025.

Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

My strength is not mine alone, it comes from the collective.

Thanks to our supporters and sponsors throughout 2024