NZ's first Māori Dean of Law excited to lead law school changes

2:48 pm on 28 September 2021

The country's first-ever Dean of Law who is Māori has been appointed at AUT.

Khylee Quince, AUT Associate Professor of Law.

Photo: Supplied

An expert in criminal law, youth justice and Māori legal issues, Associate Professor Khylee Quince (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Roroa) will start her term immediately, after what the university said was an international search.

"AUT's School of Law is well placed to shape our programmes around this vision - excellent practical legal education and research directed to social justice and community impact," Quince said in a statement.

She said she wants to further develop the university's law programme in South Auckland, and lead the university through a nationwide shakeup of legal education that's underway.

"This year the Council of Legal Education - the body tasked with accrediting law degrees - resolved to amend their regulations to require all law schools to teach and assess concepts of tikanga and te reo Māori in all seven core courses.

"This is both exciting and challenging for legal educators and I look forward to working with colleagues to navigate and lead these changes," she said.

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