New Zealand Law Commission

New Zealand's Law Commission (Te Aka Matua o te Ture) was established in 1986 by the Law Commission Act 1985. The commission is an independent Crown entity as defined in the Crown Entities Act 2004.

The main objective of the Law Commission, as declared in its founding legislation, is to monitor and critically analyse the laws of New Zealand with a view to identifying—and proposing solutions to—their possible shortcomings. The Law Commission reviews, reforms and develops New Zealand law. It then makes recommendations to Government to improve the law. It also advises its Responsible Minister and government agencies on how to make the law more accessible and easier to understand.

The commission has a commitment to consult the public on areas of law that it reviews. It promotes discussion and consultation by publishing Issues Papers. It invites submissions from the public before it makes recommendations to the Responsible Minister. It publishes these recommendations in a report to Parliament. The Minister tables the report and the government then decides whether and how it will amend the law.

The commission is part of the Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies.

In 2001, the commission published a notable report on the influence tikanga Māori on Pākehā law conventions.

Current commissioners
As of November 2023, the Law Commission comprises three commissioners:


 * Amokura Kawharu (President)
 * Claudia Geiringer
 * Geof Shirtcliffe

Projects
The commission's projects have included:


 * Māori customs and values in New Zealand law
 * Review of Abortion Law Reform
 * The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations
 * Review of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
 * Declaratory Judgments
 * Second Review of the Evidence Act 2006