A message from David Campbell, Vice President Auckland
Tēnā koutou katoa,
As the festive season draws near, I extend my warmest greetings to all members of the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa and the wider legal community. This time of year, gives us the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and recharge after a year marked by both challenges and progress.
2024 has been a pivotal year for our organisation, guided by our theme of Shaping Aotearoa’s Legal Profession, together. This theme encapsulates our commitment to building a stronger, more connected profession while responding to the evolving needs of lawyers across the motu.
Our transformation journey has seen us introduce a new representative strategy, including the implementation of a membership subscription to ensure the sustainability of our services. Over 10,000 lawyers have signed up, a testament to the value these services bring to the profession.
The President and Chief Executive’s 27 nationwide hui highlighted the value of kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) interaction. These discussions allowed us to hear directly from lawyers about the issues they face daily, from legal aid shortages to regional recruitment challenges, and shaped our strategic direction.
We remain steadfast in advocating for the profession. This year, the Law Society made 92 submissions to Parliament, underlining our influential role in promoting access to justice, the rule of law, and the sustainability of the profession. While we acknowledge the current Government’s decision not to prioritise Independent Review recommendations this term, our commitment to regulatory reform and a modernised legal framework continues.
Critical challenges persist, including the need to address New Zealand’s ageing legal workforce, the decreasing number of experienced legal aid lawyers, and the increasing workload pressures many practitioners face. We are determined to continue to support the profession by fostering collegiality, wellbeing, and resilience as we navigate these issues together.
I want to express my gratitude to those of you who this year have yet again volunteered your time and expertise for the benefit of the profession and wider communities. Your dedication is exemplary.
As we look to 2025, we are committed to delivering even greater value to our members, expanding our engagement with the profession, and ensuring the sustainability of our representative services. Together, we will continue shaping a profession that serves the needs of all New Zealanders.
This holiday season, I encourage you to prioritise rest, to reconnect with whānau and friends, and to take time to reflect on the year’s achievements. Let us enter the New Year with a shared sense of purpose and optimism for what lies ahead.
Ngā mihi o Hineraumati – summer greetings and best wishes for a safe and joyful holiday season.
David Campbell
Vice President Auckland
New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa