Branches
District law societies ceased to be statutory bodies on 31 January 2009. With the exception of Auckland, the former districts have transferred their assets and liabilities to the NZLS, as agreed in the memorandum of understanding signed by all districts in 2007. In 2008, however, the Auckland District Law Society voted to incorporate as an independent voluntary society from 1 February 2009.
As required under the NZLS Constitution, branches now operate in all former districts, including Auckland. Every person who was a member of a district law society (ie, all current lawyers unless they have actually opted out of membership) continues, by virtue of s386 of the LCA, to be a member of the New Zealand Law Society and of their local branch.
Jurisdictions of branches
Auckland
Albany, Avondale, Browns Bay, Coromandel, Dargaville, Devonport, East Coast Bays, Ellerslie, Glenfield, Greenlane, Helensville, Henderson, Howick, Kaeo, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Kohukohu, Kumeu, Mangonui, Manukau City, Manurewa, Maungaturoto, Milford, Mt Roskill, New Lynn, New Market, Onehunga, Orewa, Otahuhu, Otara, Panmure, Paihia, Pakuranga, Papakura, Paparoa, Papatoetoe, Parnell, Ponsonby, Pukekohe, Ruawai, Silverdale, Tairua, Takapuna, Tuakau, Thames, Waiheki Island, Waiuku, Warkworth, Wellsford, Whangamata, Whangaparaoa, Whangarei, Whitianga
Canterbury
Ashburton, Christchurch, Darfield, Geraldine, Kaiapoi, Leeston , Lincoln, Lyttelton, Methven, Papanui, Rangiora, Temuka, Timaru, Waimate
Gisborne
Gisborne, Ruatoria, Wairoa
Hawke's Bay
Dannevirke, Hastings, Havelock North, Napier, Tamatea, Taradale, Waipawa, Waipukurau
Manawatu
Feilding, Foxton, Levin, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Shannon, Woodville
Marlborough
Blenheim, Kaikoura, Picton
Nelson
Collingwood, Motueka, Murchison, Nelson, Richmond, Takaka
Otago
Alexandra, Balclutha, Cromwell, Dunedin, Heriot, Kurow, Lawrence, Milton, Mosgiel, Oamaru, Otematata, Palmerston, Port Chalmers, Queenstown, Ranfurly, Roxburgh, Twizel, Waikouaiti, Wanaka
Southland
Gore, Invercargill, Mataura, Otautau, Riverton, Tapanui, Te Anau, Tuatapere, Winton, Wyndham
Taranaki
Eltham, Hawera, Inglewood, Kaponga, Manaia, New Plymouth, Opunake, Patea, Stratford, Waitara
Whanganui
Bulls, Hunterville, Marton, Ohakune, Raetihi, Taihape, Whanganui, Waverley
Waikato Bay of Plenty
Hamilton, Cambridge, Edgecumbe, Huntly, Katikati, Kawerau, Matamata, Morrinsville, Mt Maunganui, Murupara, Ngaruawahia, Opotiki, Otorohanga, Paeroa, Putaruru, Raglan, Rotorua, Taneatua, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Te Aroha, Te Awamutu, Te Kauwhata, Te Kuiti, Te Puke, Tirau, Tokoroa, Turangi, Waihi, Whakatane
Wellington
Carterton, Eketahuna, Featherston, Greytown, Lower Hutt, Martinborough, Masterton, Otaki, Paraparaumu, Petone, Porirua, Raumati, Upper Hutt, Waikanae, Wainuiomata, Wellington
Westland
Greymouth, Hokitika, Reefton, Westport