AMINZ Advocates for the Inclusion of Te Ao Māori and Tikanga Māori in Legal Education, Joining Broader Support Across New Zealand

The Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand | Te Mana Kaiwhakatau, Takawaenga o Aotearoa supports the inclusion of Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori in the legal education curriculum The Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) proudly advocates for the inclusion of Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori in the legal education curriculum.

We wish to join the many individuals and organisations already in support of this. As an organisation representing mediators, arbitrators, and adjudicators, we believe that understanding and incorporating Māori perspectives is essential for maintaining the excellence and integrity of our profession.

Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is reflected in the AMINZ Constitution:

Clause 3.1(b) stating that one of the purposes of the Institute is to “promote, advocate for and facilitate the expression of tikanga and other cultural values and norms in the practise and theory of Dispute Resolution”; and

Clause 3.2 “Te Tiriti: The purposes of the Institute operate to enable the Institute, its members, and other parties, to give eƯect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi”.

AMINZ supports the integration of tikanga into legal education as it enriches the knowledge and practice of our members, including those who are not lawyers. A solid understanding of tikanga and its application within statutory frameworks and case law is crucial for all professionals engaged in dispute resolution. This initiative not only enhances cultural competency but also aligns with our values of excellence, integrity, and collegiality.

AMINZ is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and culturally informed profession and we encourage open discussions on this critical issue.

By embracing tikanga, we honour our collective responsibility to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthen the foundations of our practice and our membership.

Nicole Smith President, AMINZ

AMINZ is the largest professional institute in Aotearoa New Zealand for people who work in the area of dispute resolution. Our members include arbitrators, mediators, adjudicators, conciliators, facilitators, investigators and expert witnesses who come from a variety of sectors.