Dr Mark Hickford Appointed to Law Commission, to Serve as Interim President

Justice Minister Goldsmith said Dr Hickford’s combination of scholarship, legal acumen, and executive experience made him ideally suited for the dual role.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced the appointment of Dr Mark Hickford as a member of the New Zealand Law Commission for a five-year term. Dr Hickford will also serve as President of the Commission on an interim basis for six months while a permanent president is appointed in the New Year.

The appointment, which reflects the Government's intent to strengthen the leadership of one of the country's most important legal advisory bodies, brings to the Commission a scholar and public servant widely respected for his expertise in constitutional, public, and Māori–Crown law.

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A Seasoned Public Law Expert

Dr Hickford's career spans academia, government, and legal practice. He is a former Deputy Solicitor-General (Public Law) at the Crown Law Office, where he led major work on constitutional and Treaty of Waitangi issues. Before that, he spent time in policy leadership at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and at Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry of Māori Development).

He also served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Law at Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka), where he strengthened the Faculty's engagement with law reform and Māori legal studies. His academic writing includes influential works on Crown–Māori relations, the constitutional status of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the interface between common law and tikanga Māori.

Justice Minister Goldsmith said Dr Hickford's combination of scholarship, legal acumen, and executive experience made him ideally suited for the dual role.

"Dr Hickford has outstanding legal credentials and a proven ability to navigate complex constitutional and legislative environments," the Minister said. "He also brings strong leadership and governance skills that will help the Commission maintain its capability and independence."

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Balancing Two Key Roles

Dr Hickford will initially work part-time with the Commission while completing a short-term contractual obligation with Te Puni Kōkiri, ensuring a smooth transition into the role.

During his six-month presidency, he will oversee the continuation of major projects currently underway at the Law Commission, including the review of the Evidence Act 2006, reforms to hate-crime legislation, and the evaluation of surrogacy and family law frameworks.

The Government expects that a permanent president will be appointed early next year, at which point Dr Hickford will remain on the Commission as a full-time Commissioner for the remainder of his term.

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The Law Commission's Role in New Zealand's Legal System

The New Zealand Law Commission (Te Aka Matua o te Ture) is an independent Crown entity responsible for reviewing, reforming, and developing the law. Established in 1986, it provides policy advice to the Government on improving fairness, simplicity, and efficiency in legislation.

The Commission undertakes major reviews across a range of areas—from family law to digital privacy—and its recommendations often form the basis for significant legislative reform. Recent reports include reviews of the Evidence Act, Class Actions and Litigation Funding, and the Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations.

Justice Minister Goldsmith underscored the Commission's importance in maintaining public confidence in the law:

"The Law Commission's work underpins much of our legislative reform. Its independence allows it to address complex and sometimes politically sensitive issues in a principled way."

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Acknowledging Dr Amokura Kawharu's Tenure

Minister Goldsmith also paid tribute to the outgoing President, Dr Amokura Kawharu, whose five-year term saw the Commission deliver several high-profile reports and strengthen its engagement with Māori and Pacific communities.

"I would like to thank Dr Kawharu for her able leadership and her contribution to significant law reviews, including the review of the Evidence Act 2006 and the work examining hate-crime law," Goldsmith said.

Dr Kawharu, a distinguished academic at the University of Auckland and expert in international and commercial law, was the first Māori woman to lead the Commission. Her tenure focused on increasing diversity in law reform and improving accessibility to legal processes.

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Looking Ahead: Continuity and Renewal

Dr Hickford's appointment signals continuity in the Commission's work but also a renewed emphasis on evidence-based law reform and public engagement. With his background in both academia and public service, he is expected to steer the Commission through its transitional phase while contributing to broader conversations about constitutional renewal and Treaty-based relationships in the law.

In addition to ongoing reviews, the Commission is also expected to provide advice on digital privacy, artificial intelligence and law, and modernisation of the Crimes Act, all of which require nuanced leadership and inter-disciplinary expertise.

Dr Hickford's appointment has been welcomed across the legal community, with commentators noting his reputation for intellectual rigour and balanced judgment. Legal scholars describe him as "a bridge between theory and practice" and "a steady hand for the Commission at a time of significant change."

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About Dr Mark Hickford

• Education: BA/LLB (Hons) – University of Auckland; DPhil – University of Oxford

• Career Highlights:

  • Deputy Solicitor-General (Public Law), Crown Law Office

  • Chief Legal Adviser, Te Puni Kōkiri

  • Senior Policy Advisor, DPMC

  • Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Law, Victoria University of Wellington

  • Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Public Law

• Publications: Lords of the Land: Indigenous Property and the Crown in Early New Zealand; numerous articles on constitutional and Treaty law.

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A Transitional but Pivotal Moment

As the Law Commission prepares for new leadership in 2025, Dr Hickford's stewardship ensures the institution remains focused on its core mission—independent, principled, and accessible law reform. His appointment represents both a recognition of his distinguished service to public law and a vote of confidence in his ability to guide the Commission through a period of renewal.