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
- Public (50) Apply Public filter
- Courts and Dispute Resolution (40) Apply Courts and Dispute Resolution filter
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- Family (23) Apply Family filter
- Social (22) Apply Social filter
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- Property/Trusts (16) Apply Property/Trusts filter
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Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 2010
Last updated 28 September 2016
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 February 2005
Last updated 11 May 2015
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.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 October 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 April 2004
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 December 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 December 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 27 June 2000
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 December 1998
Last updated 11 May 2015
The purpose of this project is to consider and report on the law affecting Maori fisheries.
Project status: Closed
Start date 17 November 1997
Last updated 11 May 2015
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.
Project status: Closed
Start date 01 July 1996
Last updated 11 May 2015
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...