The Law Society of New Zealand has launched a national engagement initiative to explore how the legal profession can better reflect the communities it serves, with a particular focus on advancing gender equality. The initiative begins with panel discussions in Wellington on 25 November and in Auckland on 3 December, bringing together a diverse group of practitioners, leaders and policymakers to share experiences, challenges and insights.
Guided by the principle of manaakitanga, the Law Society aims to foster open dialogue and collective ownership of the profession’s diversity and inclusion challenges. The panels feature respected members of the legal community, including barristers, partners, government leaders, and in-house counsel. Participants will discuss barriers to gender equity, highlight lived experiences within the profession, and identify practical actions that the sector can take to create a more inclusive and representative workforce.
Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch will also present findings from the 2025 Gender Equality Survey and the Snapshot of the Profession 2025, providing data-driven insight into ongoing disparities and areas where targeted efforts are needed.
All members of the profession are invited to attend the discussions, which are free of charge and hosted at Buddle Findlay in Wellington and Dentons in Auckland. The broader engagement process will contribute to the Law Society’s strategic direction and help shape a sector-wide action plan to embed gender equality and support diversity and inclusion across Aotearoa’s legal profession.