AUT Law School

Congratulations, ngā mihi nui, faamalo, vakanuinui vinaka, fakaafe atu, おめでとうございます, 祝贺, 축하해요, बधाई हो, مبارک ہو to all our wonderful students who graduated this morning.

We are immensely proud of your achievements and we wish you all the very best in all your future endeavours. Ka mua, ka muri!

Congratulations to Sione Tekiteki and Marco de Jong, AUT Law School, and the AUT Moanaroa Pacific Research Network, who recently hosted a Tolonoa on Pacific Regional Governance.

As part of this, his Excellency Anote Tong, President of Kiribati 2003-2016, discussed issues with the Auckland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor, Damon Salesa.

A committed and courageous climate justice advocate, Anote was one of the first State leaders to bring the existential threat of climate change to the world's attention. In particular, he ensured that the impact on the people of the Pacific was included in the narrative that spoke to environmental impacts.

Anote's key message is for the peoples of Te Moananui a Kiwa to prepare for 'Migration with Dignity' - through education and equipping themselves so that they may qualify as skilled migrants with agency and choice over their futures, rather than passive climate refugees.

AUT - Auckland University of Technology has hosted the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 over the past week.

Tumuaki of the AUT Law School, Ahorangi Khylee Quince, discusses how kotahitanga reveals itself in so many ways, and how WIPCE has given its participants from all over the world the opportunity to come together as iwi taketake through the many elements that connect them.

Te Ao Pūtahi 2025 Kotahitanga reveals itself in so many ways. WIPCE has given us the opportunity to come together as iwi taketake through the many elements that connect us. #teaopūtahi #wipce

Congratulations to the two Law School recipients of Doctoral Scholarships who were recognised and celebrated at an awards ceremony last week!

Gogo Ntor has received an AUT Doctoral Scholarship. His PhD thesis topic is "Legal and ethical regulation of autonomous vessels and autonomous decision-making processes in maritime governance", supervised by Paul Myburgh and Allan Beever.

Lance Ryan has received a Vice-Chancellor's Doctoral Scholarship. His PhD topic is "Empowering tikanga in post-sentence restorative justice", supervised by Katey Thom and Prof Khylee Quince. Lance is also a Lecturer in the Law School.

Ka rawe! Poho kererū ana!

Photo credit: Visionworks Photography

We're tino proud of our exceptional AUT Law School alumna, Danielle Le Gallais, barrister and co-founder of the charity, Sunday Blessings, which has served over 200,000 meals to hungry and homeless Aucklanders since 2018. “When I see our elders on the streets, it makes me want to cry,” says Danielle.

The Sunday Blessings mission is to reduce Auckland CBD food poverty and waste through a collaborative approach to food rescue and distribution. You can learn more about Danielle's awesome mahi here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8-VlM8_CvI

Sione Tekiteki and Marco de Jong report back on the recent Pacific Islands Forum, which reached some significant agreements, including the launch of the region’s own climate financing facility, the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace declaration, and policies on partnerships and broader aspirations for “deeper integration”.

But the authors point out that integration remains a contested term. It implies unity but is shaped by the often uneven and unequal ways in which the region is tied together.

For more detail, see https://www.aut.ac.nz/news/stories/unity-elusive-at-pacific-islands-forum

The says Israel has committed genocide as defined under international law.

Here in New Zealand, large protests are accompanying growing calls for the government to recognise Palestine as a state.

But what’s involved with that recognition?

AUT Law School’s Myra Williamson, a senior lecturer specialising in international law, says the actual business of qualifying as a state is simple in theory – but more complicated in practice.

Still, she says, the case is clear:

Palestine is a state.

Read about the laws and criteria surrounding “statehood” in Myra's latest article in .aunz: see https://www.aut.ac.nz/news/stories/nz-must-recognise-palestine-as-a-state/_nocache

📸 shutterstock.com

Congratulations, ngā mihi nui, faamalo, vakanuinui vinaka, fakaafe atu, おめでとうございます, 祝贺, 축하해요, बधाई हो, مبارک ہو to all our wonderful students who graduated this afternoon.

We are immensely proud of your achievements and we wish you all the very best in all your future endeavours. Ka mua, ka muri!

Poho kererū ana! We are very proud indeed of all the awardees at the recent Law School awards. For more details on the awards ceremony, and even more photos, see https://www.aut.ac.nz/news/stories/deep-truths-celebrated-at-law-awards

👏🎉🎆
📸 Ivan Tarlton

Congratulations to all the AUT Law students who won awards at the prizegiving ceremony held on Tuesday evening. Me whakahīhī ka tika! We are immensely proud of your achievements. More photos to follow! ❤️

Congratulations to Anna Coddington and (Ariel) Kendel Ormond on taking out the two top prizes at the inaugural Hui-ā-Tauira event run by Tūmatakahuki (the National Māori Law Students' Association) and hosted by Auckland University of Technology.

Anna was named Best Overall Mooter and Kendel Best Overall Negotiator. Dean Khylee Quince said "This is the first time any AUT students have won either of the top awards at the national Māori student competitions. The judges were effusive in their praise of these wahine – their written submissions, ability on their feet, poise, and respect for their fellow competitors. I was extremely proud to be there."

Me whakahīhī ka tika, Anna and Kendel!

Tūmatakahuki - National Māori Law Students' Association - Hui-ā-Tauira 2025 - National Māori Law Students Conference, 7 to 10 July, Tāmaki

Kia hurō! Ko whakatūwheratia te Hui-ā-Tauira 2025!! Ko rātou ngā rangatira mō apōpō!!
A massive thank you to Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation, AUT Law School , Whatua Ōrakei Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), Fletcher Walker, Williams, Connell, Legal Findlay, Law, Airedale Hotels.

https://www.facebook.com/tekareremaorinews/videos/1222990066287472