This special evening honours the most recently appointed woman to the High Court of New Zealand in Auckland: Justice Amokura Kawharu.
Of Ngāti Whātua and Ngāpuhi descent, Justice Kawharu brings to the bench an exceptional breadth of experience across practice, academia and law reform. A graduate of the University of Auckland (BA/LLB (Hons), 1996), she began her career at Chapman Trippbefore practising in Sydney with Gilbert + Tobin. She later served as Corporate Counsel at Vodafone New Zealand and completed an LLM (First Class) at the University of Cambridge.
From 2005 to 2020, Justice Kawharu progressed from Lecturer to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, becoming one of New Zealand’s leading voices in arbitration law. She is co-author (with Sir David Williams KC) of Williams & Kawharu on Arbitration, the leading New Zealand text in the field. In 2023 she completed her PhD at Victoria University of Wellington, and in September 2025 concluded a five-year term as President of the Law Commission. Her appointment to the High Court took effect on 9 February 2026, and she now sits in Auckland.
Generously hosted by Simpson Grierson (Level 27, 88 Shortland Street, Auckland Central), the President’s Function will be held on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, commencing at 5.30pm. Expect an engaging address, warm collegiality, and the vibrant energy that defines AWLA at its best.
Tickets are $35, or complimentary if you register as an AWLA member and pay your 2026 membership fees by 15 March 2026.
Follow the link here to register for membership and take advantage of complimentary entry. Otherwise, tickets are available via the registration form below. Come along to celebrate leadership, scholarship and service at the highest level of our profession — and to kick off the AWLA year in style.