Supporting the build of a research and teaching repository for the Indigenization of the LLB

Intern

Elena Kingham, University of Canterbury

Supervisor

Adrienne Paul, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

The internship is provided as part of the prestigious NPM Borrin Foundation Legal Research Internship award.

Overview

The project team is leading the indigenisation of the LLB at the University of Canterbury. This internship project contributed to the development of an online repository of resources relevant to both research and teaching in this space.

Providing access to information through an online repository can be transformative in building new understandings and applications that support positive change toward flourishing Māori futures. The repository will offer a rich collection of knowledge that can be easily accessed and shared, enabling Māori individuals and communities to engage with diverse perspectives, draw on ancestral wisdom, and exchange ideas.

The intern supported the project’s aim of compiling a comprehensive selection of legal materials that integrate Māori perspectives, concepts, and scenarios into the LLB curriculum. By categorising and synthesising this content in an accessible way, the project sought to enhance understanding among future lawyers while aligning with the Borrin Foundation’s vision of a society where the role and value of law is widely appreciated. Ultimately, the initiative aims to strengthen Māori representation in legal education and elevate the presence and value of Māori legal knowledge in both academic and professional contexts.