“We believe law is essential to a flourishing society – one that is just, inclusive, tolerant and free. Our vision is of an Aotearoa New Zealand where everyone understands the role and value of the law, and everyone enjoys the protection and opportunity that it provides.” – the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation’s vision statement.

This statement reflects our founder, Judge Ian Borrin’s aspirations in establishing the Foundation with his $38 million bequest. The Borrin Foundation is his gift to New Zealand. It is a special gift, because it requires people like you – people who, like Judge Borrin, love the law, care deeply about how the law works (or doesn’t work), and want to make a positive difference to people in our country.

The Borrin Foundation is here to make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders, through the law. We do this by supporting legal research, education and scholarship through effective philanthropy. Part of our ‘effective philanthropy’ approach is to invest in people to advance our goals. We want to find, and fund, people who share our vision for Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to be the propeller, the extra ‘boost’ to enable people to maximise their talents and pursue our shared goals for New Zealand.

You may have discarded the Borrin Foundation to the ‘not relevant pile’ when you heard the words ‘legal research and education’. But the Borrin Foundation is here for a much wider group of people, not only academics and researchers. We are also here for practising lawyers, doing everyday practical work that contributes to our vision. In fact, Judge Borrin, in the Borrin Foundation’s Trust Deed, drew special attention to the foundation funding “members of the New Zealand legal community as a whole”. This includes “members of the judiciary (being judges or retired judges of any of the courts of New Zealand), members of the practising legal profession (whether engaged in the public or the private sector), lawyers holding an academic appointment… and law students of graduate or post graduate status”. The Borrin Foundation is looking to invest in people who are already in their legal careers.

Since the Borrin Foundation’s launch in February 2018, we have announced over $3 million of grant funding across about 30 grant projects. The projects have focused on areas where the law is not serving New Zealanders well – predominantly the criminal justice system and family law. The criminal justice system is an area where transformative change is needed. Among Western developed nations, New Zealand’s incarceration rate is second only to the United States. Family law touches many aspects of New Zealanders’ lives, often when they are at their most vulnerable. A full list of grants is on the Foundation website.

In April 2019 we will distribute a survey looking at how the Borrin Foundation can invest in individuals. We would love to hear from you. We are seeking your ideas about:

• how we can support people who are already in their careers,
• how we can build capacity in the legal community,
• how we can maximise the potential that exists in the legal community to be a greater force for good.

Judge Borrin’s gift is one that relies on the participation of people who care deeply about making a positive difference and about the role of law in society. We hope that you will join us in this journey towards an Aotearoa New Zealand “where everyone understands the role and value of the law, and everyone enjoys the protection and opportunity that it provides”.

Michelle Wanwimolruk michelle@borrinfoundation.nz is Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation.