Five things (among many!) that you’ll take away from the AMINZ Conference 2021
5 – 7 August 2021, Te Puia, Rotorua
This year’s Conference will bring together leading dispute resolution professionals for three engaging days of learning and networking. Always highly attended, the conference is a chance to delve into the latest insights in the field and explore how the dispute resolution landscape is evolving both in Aotearoa and around the globe.
With the theme, “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people), we’re going to be homing in on what sits at the centre of everything in dispute resolution – the people. This theme will set the tone for the three days, and you can see it emerging already when perusing through the programme.
However, conference programmes can often be jam-packed with various topics and events that ascertaining exactly what value you’ll leave with can be overwhelming. Here’s a highlight reel of a few of the things you’ll gain from attending this year.
1. AN INSIDE LOOK INTO THE WORLD & THINKING OF LEADERS
From the get-go, you’ll hear from His Honour Judge Heemi Taumaunu, Chief District Court Jude of New Zealand. He is the first Māori to be appointed to the role and a fluent te reo Māori speaker. Through various leadership roles in the District Court, he has encouraged a wider appreciation for the value of culturally responsive justice. His keynote address, Te Ao Mārama – an enlightened world where all people can come to seek justice, to be seen, heard, and understood and meaningfully participate, will provide an inside look into his role and how we all can work towards better serving our communities in accessing justice.
On day two and three, you’ll hear from Paulette Brown, The Honourable Justice Joe Williams and Professor Amokura Kawharu. Paulette is Past President of the American Bar Associate (ABA) and the first woman of colour to lead the ABA. She brings a unique perspective and is renowned for her efforts relating to diversity and inclusion including the impact of implicit bias – something many attendees can look forward to hearing more on.
Justice Williams, Supreme Court Judge and Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal since 2004, will present alongside Professor Kawharu, President of the Law Commission and who (among other roles) has acted as an independent expert appointed by the Waitangi Tribunal for its inquiry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Their address will share the current work in this area and provide you with a better understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes and how it impacts your work.
2. INSIGHTS AND LEARNINGS FROM ACROSS THE ENTIRE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECTRUM
There’s almost nothing better for improving your work back home than getting an international perspective on what’s going on around the globe. Bringing this perspective to the conference, you’ll hear from Caroline Kenny QC, Joshua Paffey and Nick Longley in Hot Topics in International Commercial Arbitration. Across the three of them, they have experience in Australia, the US and the UK so you’ll want to hear their unique perspectives.
Other topics covered? Dr Anna Kirk will explore the learnings from the use of international arbitration by indigenous peoples, Dr Grant Morris will examine how Covid-19 has impacted and forced adaption within dispute resolution, Cherie Kurarangi, Paula Ormsby, Tania Tania Te Whenua and Michael Sharp will discuss the Wahine Toa Claim before the Waitangi Tribunal and Michelle Urquart will share thinking on how you can navigate ethical dilemmas.
These are just a few of the subjects you can look forward to. There will be breakout presentations which means you can pick and attend the topics that interest you the most.
3. SECTOR SPECIFIC DISCUSSIONS – COLLOBARATION AND ADDRESSING CHALLENGES TOGETHER
Many of us work in specific sectors and have highly specialised knowledge. Attending a Sector Meeting will give you in-depth discussion and networking opportunities with those who share the same unique challenges that you face.
Rural, Adjudication, Young Arbitration and Family Dispute Resolution Sector Meetings will run concurrently so if your work fits into one of these – you’ll want to attend to get acquainted with the latest thinking and professionals in the field.
Even if you don’t work within one of these sectors, attending will provide you with a broad overview and better understanding for those who do, ultimately enriching your own work once you leave Rotorua.
4. SOCIAL EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES ACROSS ROTORUA
Playing hard is just as important as working hard. Taking place against the beautiful Rotorua landscape, we’re going to socialise by spending some time exploring and appreciating this special region of Aotearoa. If you haven’t explored the area before, now will be the perfect time to get an inside view into what it can offer. And, if you’re familiar with the region, you’ll get the chance to experience it in a different light with new (and old) acquaintances. Some particulars you can look forward to:
Cocktail Crawl: There’s nothing quite like exploring a new area than by jumping from one hot spot to the next and discovering the inner city ‘burbs. This event is sponsored by Tompkins Wake and will be a great chance to see Rotorua at night and network over a glass with fellow attendees.
Mountain Biking in the Redwoods: Try not to stay out too late on the Cocktail Crawl as the following day we’ll head off on an adventure into the famous Redwoods. This will start the final day of the conference off with a dose of endorphins and sunshine, sponsored by Holland Beckett Law (the ride, not the sunshine that is!)
Spending three days at the beautiful Te Puia venue, you’ll experience the Hikoi cultural journey, a guided tour through their unique landscape and New Zealand cultural experience.
To round out your time in Rotorua, the programme includes a presentation on its history. Many of us likely haven’t had a rundown on the region since high-school geography. An important area in Aotearoa’s history - socially, politically, economically, and geographically – gaining an understanding of this historic area will provide you with a well-rounded and deeper understanding of this piece of Aotearoa’s story.
5. A BIGGER NETWORK
Alongside all the above, no Conference is complete without fantastic networking opportunities!
Being one of the largest New Zealand gatherings of dispute resolution professionals under one roof, you’ll meet and make meaningful connections with a diverse range of those at the top of their respective fields. With multiple tea breaks throughout the conference and ending on a high with the Gala dinner, you can seize the opportunity to take your conversations further than the weather or the weekend by learning from, connecting with, and discovering new professional opportunities with fellow attendees.
Chat with those from the AMINZ team, leading law firms (including an impressive line-up of sponsors), seasoned practitioners and the next generation of professionals. You never know who you’ll meet and what opportunity is around the corner. Head home with your contacts app bursting at the seams.
…and that’s a wrap. If you want to know even more about the Conference and what you can gain from it, head to the dedicated Conference website.
You’ll find the full programme to peruse (also available HERE), information on how to register plus resources on Rotorua and accommodation options.
No matter where your interests lie and whether your just starting, in the thick or it, or nearing the end of your dispute resolution journey, the Conference will have valuable takeaways for everyone.
In the words of AMINZ President, Mark Kelly, “the speakers, events and venue are world class. It is going to be an amazing experience with educational content of the highest quality, and social events that will be immense fun.”
How could you miss out? We hope to see you there this August!
The Conference is backed by some incredible sponsors – Wynn Williams, Holland Beckett Law, Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh, Tompkins Wake, Morrison Kent Lawyers, Tony’s Chocolonely, New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre and the Ministry of Primary Industries.
