On this project, the Law Commission undertook a first principles review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964. The Act’s primary purpose is to ensure provision is made for the burial of the dead in a controlled and respectful manner...
Our projects
Each project is an area of law or subject matter that the Law Commission has agreed to review. The Commission works on several projects at a time. Together, these projects make up the Commission's annual work programme.
Use the search filters below to find particular projects. For more information on how we work see how we conduct projects.
Project status
Areas of law
- (-) Remove Customary and Treaty Settlements Law filter Customary and Treaty Settlements Law
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- Courts and Dispute Resolution (40) Apply Courts and Dispute Resolution filter
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- Property/Trusts (16) Apply Property/Trusts filter
- Evidence (15) Apply Evidence filter
- International Law (8) Apply International Law filter
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This project explores the interaction between custom and human rights in the Pacific, including New Zealand, by articulating some of the issues arising from this interaction and how the two can inform each other.
This project reviewed the criminal defence of insanity (section 23 of the Crimes Act 1961), and Ministerial release arrangements for patients detained on the grounds of insanity or unfitness to stand trial.A final report was published and tabled...
The Law Commission Report, Waka Umanga: a Proposed Law for Māori Governance Entities, was published in May 2006. In 2007, a Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill was drafted with Parliamentary Counsel office, and consultation with Māori...
This project originally commenced in 1994 at the suggestion of the Honourable Justice Durie, who at that time was Chief Judge of the Mäori Land Court. Justice Durie was of the view that some knowledge of Mäori custom would greatly assist judges...
The purpose of this project is to advise Te Puni Kokiri on proposed changes to section 30 of Te Ture Whenua Mäori Act 1993. Specifically, the Commission was asked to consider the effect of those proposed changes; and whether section 30 is...
The purpose of this project is to enquire into and report on the following issues:
- Is there a need for changes, whether administrative or legislative, to address problems which have arisen in the period leading up to and in the course...
The purpose of this project is to consider and report on the law affecting Maori fisheries.
This project examines the response of the legal system to the experiences of women in New Zealand, recognising the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi in the examination of Maori women's experiences.
This is the Commission's second report directly on matters pertaining to New Zealand's international obligations. The purpose of the project is assist members of Parliament and public with both broad background information and focused direction...