International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) biennial conference: 7–9 May 2021

The International Association of Women Judges’ (IAWJ) held its biennial conference in Auckland from 7–9 May 2021.  All judges, judicial officers and members of the New Zealand legal profession of any gender were cordially invited to register for the conference. The theme of the conference was celebrating diversity and provided an opportunity, rare in New Zealand, to listen to and meet judicial and other thought leaders from around the world.

The conference was an in-person event for those who could travel to Auckland, but was virtual for everyone else. It was live streamed and recorded and is available for delegates to view until the end of 2021.  Certificates of participation were issued to registered delegates.  

The conference opened on 7 May with a pōwhiri at Ōrākei Marae followed by a discussion about indigenous issues in New Zealand. The educational programme, 8-9 May, included the IAWJ’s usual glittering array of speakers and diverse perspectives on concurrent and cutting-edge topics. The conference gala dinner was held on the evening of Saturday 8 May. 

Most of our keynote speakers joined us virtually and we had some very interesting panels dealing with topics such as refugees and trafficking, Covid-19, judicial leadership, indigenous issues, different court models and climate change. Baroness Brenda Hale, Mary Robinson, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Professor Val Napoleon, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Dame Helen Winkelmann and Professor Jim Hathaway were in attendance.