It is with deep sadness that the Commission remembers two outstanding Law Commissioners who passed away this week.
George Tanner CNZM QC
George passed away on 17 January 2012. George was appointed as a Law Commissioner in 2007 for a term of five years – which sadly he did not complete. George made an extremely valuable and significant contribution to the work of the Commission during his term. He worked closely with John Burrows QC on the statutes revision project when he first arrived at the Commission and was the Lead Commissioner on the Commission’s review of the current land transfer framework. As part of that project George drafted a new Land Transfer Bill which is currently being prepared for introduction in the House. At the time he went on leave George was leading the Commission’s review of trust law.
Helen Aikman QC
Helen passed away on 18 January 2012. Helen returned to the Law Commission as a Commissioner for a term of three years from 2005 to 2008, having previously worked as a researcher at the Commission in the early stages of her career in 1988. During her time at the Commission, Helen and Sir Edward "Eddie" Taihakurei Durie co-led the Waka Umanga project on Maori governance entities and the Commission’s work on the convergence of custom and human rights in the Pacific. Helen then went on to lead the reform of the law relating to public inquiries, which resulted in a new Inquiries Bill being introduced in the House.
The President, Commissioners and staff of the Commission extend our deepest sympathy to the families of George and Helen. We are deeply saddened to have lost two very skilled lawyers, and respected and well liked colleagues.