Te Ao Māori and Tikanga Māori
Incorporating Tikanga Māori in the LLB degree
After consulting stakeholders, the New Zealand Council of Legal Education has decided to amend the regulations prescribing the content of the LLB degree in New Zealand to include teaching and assessment of Tikanga Māori|Māori laws and philosophy.
From 1 January 2025:
- The LLB degree will include teaching and assessment of the general principles and practices of Tikanga Māori|Māori laws and philosophy relevant to each of the core subjects and Legal Ethics; and
- Tikanga Māori|Māori laws and philosophy will be taught in its own right as a new compulsory subject for the LLB degree.
The Council expects that the specification for the content of the new Tikanga Māori course, and the integration of content relevant to the other core subjects, will be developed by Māori academics at the law schools in consultation with moderators appointed by the Council. It will have regard to the Borrin Foundation-funded research on indigenous legal education.
The Council will now commence the process of seeking the approval of the Minister of Justice to amend the regulations, which is required by section 278(3) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.
The Council wishes to thank all those who were involved in the consultation.
Fee Updates
Effective 1 February 2023 the New Zealand Council of Legal Education will increase fees. The Council is increasing fees to account for the increased administrative and operational costs to process and assess each application/assessment. Please refer to our what's new tab for more information.
Work of the Council
The Council is an independent statutory body. The general activities of the Council concern public interest and regulatory matters and centre on the Council's responsibilities for the quality and provision of education and practical legal training that is required to be undertaken by any person either within New Zealand or from overseas wishing to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
These general activities include:
- Defining and prescribing courses of study for the examination and practical legal training of persons wishing to be admitted as barristers and solicitors in New Zealand
- Arranging for the provision of those courses of study
- Arranging for the moderation and assessment of those courses of study
- Delivery of practical legal training
- Assessment of qualifications particularly those of overseas law graduates and legal practitioners wishing to practise in New Zealand
- Arranging for the provision of research as necessary, and tendering advice on legal education
- Administering and conducting certain examinations required to be taken by some overseas and other applicants.
Completion certificates
Processing time
Please allow for 6 to 8 weeks (up to 40 working days) processing time from the date your application is received by the Council. All applications received will be processed as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee the date of receipt of your certificate. Please do not contact the council to enquire about the status of your application as this causes further delays.
Courier
If you would like to send your application in as a physical copy, please be aware that we can ONLY receive physical applications via our P.O. Box 5671 Wellington. If you use a courier for this please ensure the courier you make use of is able to deliver to a PO Box.
Please ensure that you address your application to the Completion Certificate Division.
NZ Law Graduates only
Email application process - NZ Law Graduates Only
In the event you require a fast-tracked completion certificate application, please email completioncertificatesnz@nzcle.org.nz. When sending applications to this email, please note that you will not receive a reply to any queries sent with your application. All queries should be directed to operations@nzcle.org.nz.
Fast-track fee - NZ Law Graduates Only
In the event you require a fast-tracked completion certificate application, please email completioncertificatesnz@nzcle.org.nz. Your certificate should be dispatched within 8 working days from the date we receive the application, granted that payment and all correct documentation is received. The fast-track fee is $200 (including GST) and is in addition to the standard fee of $189.75 (including GST). Note the fast-track timeframe of 8 working days is not a guarantee as we rely on external organisations and institutions to verify your supporting documentation.
NZLP Examination
New Zealand and Overseas sitting
The next sittings for the NZLP examination are likely to take place in July 2023 and November 2023.
Enrolments will open as soon as the 2023 dates are confirmed.
The New Zealand examination will be sat at the University law faculties.
Overseas NZLPE candidates will be able to sit in their own country.
The Council is currently considering the position regarding overseas venues, and the position will be advised as soon as possible.
For all enquiries please contact operations@nzcle.org.nz. Please allow 5 business days for a response. Do not copy your communication to any other Council email address as it will not be actioned.
