Kia ora koutou katoa,
Stepping into the role of President of the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa, I am fortunate that the Law Society is well-placed to continue to build on its strong foundations as the regulator and representative body for the profession.
I recognise the notable gains made over recent years with great appreciation for my predecessor, Frazer Barton. On behalf of the Law Society Board, Frazer thank you for your service, over many years, and your calm and principled leadership.
During Frazer’s tenure the Law Society’s representative function has been significantly strengthened. Our voice as champion of rule of law has been amplified, whether that be by urging the Attorney-General to provide clear direction on ministerial conduct towards the judiciary, raising concerns about the growing use of urgency in Parliament, or the release of the landmark Rule of Law report in 2025.
The rule of law remains a priority for me. Over the coming year we will be looking to continue this conversation with both the profession and the public, reflecting on how the rule of law is experienced and how it can be strengthened.
Our law reform and advocacy work continues to be a core function of the Law Society. We are a trusted, objective and influential voice, with strong relationships with the Minister of Justice, judiciary and the public sector. We carry out this role in the interests of both the public and the profession. In 2025 the Law Society made more than 150 formal submissions across all areas of law, addressing bills before select committee as well as consultations from public service departments and the judiciary.
This has led to meaningful improvements. Our submissions resulted in changes to the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 and the subsequent Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025, in relation to the scope of ministerial and executive power within the fast-track consenting process. Other recent examples include last-minute improvements to the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill, to better uphold the rule of law and improve fairness.
In terms of law directly impacting the profession, we were also pleased to see recommendations picked up from our submissions on two Bills currently before Parliament, which will amend the AML/CFT Act 2009. Our recommendations included strengthening the requirements to consult with reporting entities, inserting national justice requirements in respect of the new censure power, and clarifying how reporting entities are required to treat supervisor guidance.
As a kaitiaki of an exemplary legal profession, the Law Society has a pivotal role regulating nearly 18,000 lawyers. This function remains fundamental. It is our core obligation under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 and underpins public trust and confidence in the profession.
To support the Law Society’s representative offering, the introduction of a membership subscription has been a positive step, supporting financial sustainability while sharpening our focus on delivering value. While the Law Society represents the entire profession, our over 10,600 lawyer members are those who actively choose to engage with and support that work. Membership numbers continue to grow in 2025/26, and I am confident we will continue to build that momentum.
The Law Society is your professional body, and I encourage all lawyers to consider how membership can support both your practice and your professional identity. Membership is one of the most effective ways to stay connected, continue learning, and contribute to the profession.
Your membership enables the Law Society to deliver the services that matter most to you. This includes specialist expertise through our Sections, collegial events, and strong local support through 13 branches across the country. It also delivers significant savings on high-quality CPD and access to a wide range of learning opportunities. For newer lawyers, particularly those at PQE2, I encourage you to stay connected by transitioning from complimentary membership to paid membership at PQE3. That continuity supports your own career journey while also strengthening the profession as a whole.
Many members and eligible law firms are also benefiting from LawSure, our bespoke professional indemnity insurance product launched through a strategic partnership with Gallagher Insurance. This initiative is delivering meaningful value, with average savings of around $5,000 per firm and a range of approximately $100 to $30,000 depending on firm size. Just as importantly, it has increased competition across the insurance market – a positive outcome for the entire profession.
I am delighted that Law Society membership numbers grew last year, and I am confident we will continue to build on this momentum into this year and next. This growth reflects a profession that sees value in staying connected, engaged, and invested in its collective future.
It is fitting that this issue of LawTalk focuses on the future of the legal profession. As the regulator and a national representative body with branches and strong connections across the motu, we are well placed for what lies ahead, confident in our purpose, underpinned by a strong regulatory framework and highly effective advocacy. We continue to add to our membership offerings and support for lawyers across Aotearoa. The challenge now is to build on this strength and momentum.
Watch David talk about his journey, priorities and vision for the profession.
