With the events of the last few days, it would be topical to again talk about the importance of the rule of law in resolving disputes. I will refrain from that for the moment. Instead, I draw your attention again to the nomination of the IAJ (of which JANZ is a member) for the Nobel Peace Prize. My letter to the Chief Justice concerning this is attached to the newsletter. The nomination reflects the importance of this organisation in promoting the rule of law and protecting judicial independence.
We should not get too far ahead of ourselves. Many are nominated, and only one is chosen. Also, the Nobel Peace Prize does not have the same cachet as a special award from an international sporting body or being chosen to pay an inordinate amount of money to a grifting narcissist to join a body dedicated to making money from misery. But you should always take your awards where you find them, even if they are placed around someone else’s neck.
The JANZ AGM is happening on 27 March 2026. This will be held in Wellington starting at 5.15pm. You can also join via Microsoft Teams. We have had to redraft our constitution to comply with the new legislation relating to incorporated societies, and this must be approved at the AGM. I want to acknowledge the work of Bill Hastings, Gerard Winter, and especially Mark Wilton in getting this done. It falls into the category of necessary rather than glamorous work. The AGM should not take too long, and I encourage all members to attend or log in if at all possible.
We have also been working with Lifetime regarding the review of the insurance rate paid. This seems to have been a very successful process. I should be in a position to confirm the outcome at the AGM.
As a member of the IAJ, we are in a subgroup known as ANAO (Asia, North America and Oceania). It is a curious mix of former English colonies sharing the common law system, along with various outliers — Mongolia, for instance. Having attended two IAJ conferences where you spend part of your time in your regional grouping, I can report that it is a very cohesive and collegial unit.
There is always an ANAO meeting each year (Toronto, 9 May 2026), in addition to the IAJ AGM (Lisbon, October 2026). We need delegates for both. The Toronto meeting can be attended by Zoom. If you are interested in representing JANZ in either of these roles, please contact me or Bill Hastings.
This has, by necessity, been a workmanlike epistle. In the spirit of Lent and Ramadan, let me remind you of the Sermon on the Mount, as it now reads: Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall make a killing out of rebuilding what they destroyed, once they have first stripped all valuables.
Noel Sainsbury
President