How can Māori law be integrated into the LLB as a foundational part of the degree?
This project calls for a legal profession that is trained to work in a bijural, bicultural and bilingual Aotearoa New Zealand legal system.
The project began in 2019, and has three phases.
Phase One – Research
We developed an issues paper the provides a researched discussion of why we call for a legal profession trained to work in a bicultural, bilingual and bijural legal system. The issues paper was published in 2020.
Phase Two – Engagement
We stress-test our initial findings through extensive consultation and collaboration with the wider Māori community and legal community.
This involved a 13-month wide consultation with Māori, law schools, academics, tauira and the legal profession on how this change might be accomplished, including the challenges and the opportunities of such a change to legal education.
Phase Three – Action
We draw on Phases One and Two to develop an action plan. This will include practical models for decolonising legal education and indigenising the LLB degree. This work is yet to commence.