On 7 August 2026, AMINZ marked 30 years at our annual conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland followed by a special Awards Dinner at the Maritime Room where we recognised our Fellows and awarded members for their dedication and service.

AMINZ Conference 2026

This year’s conference at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) brought together leading thinkers and practitioners to explore what it meant to do things differently in a rapidly changing world.

The day began with a mihi whakatau from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, followed by an outstanding keynote from Philip Riches KC.

Attendees heard from newly appointed AMINZ President Dr Anna Kirk, Professor Nadja Alexander and Henry Moore in a panel discussion on Innovation, Process Design and Modern Dispute Resolution moderated by AMINZ’s new Vice President Kate Wiseman.

Other topics ranged from AI and trust in decision-making to the future of civil adjudication, through a series of panel discussions and presentations featuring John Walton FCIArb, Greg Simms, Deborah Manning, Tyson Hullena, Dr Grant Morris, Isabelle Kwek, Hon David Goddard KC, David Bigio KC, Oscar Read, Nicole Smith, Catherine Green, Kelvin Sim, Anna-May Isbey, and Emmolina May.

Platinum Partner Wynn Williamsmarked 10 years of supporting AMINZ. Congratulating AMINZ on “another outstanding conference”, Wynn Williams Partner Rebecca Saunders said, “we are very happy to be celebrating 10 years of sponsorship of the AMINZ Conference.”

AMINZ is very grateful for the support of its other Conference partners: DigiMaster, Fair Way Resolution, MSuites by TLANZ, Rutherford Rede, The ADR Centre, and Thomson Reuters.

AMINZ Awards Dinner

The Awards Dinner at Auckland’s Maritime Room brought together delegates, speakers, and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating excellence, contribution and leadership across our sector.

The Law Association President Tony Herring shared: “It was a lovely evening, catching up with people who are really at the cutting edge of the alternative dispute resolution industry.”

Jenny Williams was awarded Fellowship in Mediation, the highest professional recognition offered by AMINZ.

Hon Sir Mark Cooper KC, Hon David Goddard KC and Hon Paul Davison KC, Hon Geoff Venning (absentia) and Hon Matthew MuirKC (absentia) were awarded Certificates of Fellowship, recognising their admission as AMINZ Fellows by waiver.

The Big Heart Award was given to Peter Degerholm in recognition of his generosity of time, energy, and expertise to the Institute.

“Peter Degerholm is a Fellow of AMINZ and has served our profession with quiet dedication for many years,” said Kate Wiseman. “Through his long-standing representation of AMINZ on Standards New Zealand committees, Peter has given generously of his time and expertise to advance both the Institute and the wider construction industry.”

We were delighted to unveil new awards, Education Excellence Award to Steve Alexander and Professional Impact Award to Rosemarie Brown and Mark Copeland (absentia).

Steve was instrumental in launching the AMINZ Expert Skills Intensive earlier this year. Rosemarie and Mark contributed their expertise to the Institute’s Farm Debt Mediation video series, a new education content series developed by AMINZ in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

AMINZ Immediate Past President (2024–2026) Malcolm Wallace was acknowledged for his dedication and service, with a Certificate of Service. ”Malcom has recognised for the time, experience and leadership he had given so generously to AMINZ over the past two years as President, and for his commitment and contribution to the Institute throughout his term.

Together, the Conference and Awards Dinner provided a fitting opportunity to celebrate AMINZ’s first 30 years, recognising the people who have contributed to the Institute and looking ahead to the future of dispute resolution in Aotearoa New Zealand.