Courses - Faculty of Law
Law Environmental
Stage IV
Climate Change Law
An introduction to and critical examination of multi-sourced climate change law from a New Zealand perspective. Against the relevant international law backdrop, the course critically surveys and assesses domestic New Zealand climate change law including the ‘zero-carbon’ legislative framework, emissions trading, common law, climate change under planning and environmental law, and the emerging legal regime on managed retreat.
Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Global Environment and Sustainable Development or LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
Global Environmental Law
Concepts, principles, customs, and treaties of international law as related to the protection of the global environment including: prevention of pollution, protection of the marine environment, ozone layer protection, climate change, biodiversity, the UNCED process and the legal framework for sustainable development.
Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Global Environment and Sustainable Development or LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
Restriction: LAW 433
Energy and Natural Resources Law
An examination of the common law principles, legislation, and administrative controls in New Zealand relating to ownership of, prospecting for, extraction and use of, minerals (including oil and gas), alternative energy resources, forestry and fisheries resources.
Corequisite: LAW 301
Restriction: LAW 446
Environmental Constitutionalism
Comparative constitutional examination into concepts and principles of the law related to environmental protection and sustainable development. Key areas include environmental ethics, sustainability, human rights and responsibilities, and state obligations.
Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Global Environment and Sustainable Development or LAW 211
Resource Management Law
An examination of the law relating to resource management and environmental regulation including: evolution of the sustainable management concept, consideration of national objectives, application of the Treaty of Waitangi, national standards, coastal policies, regional statements and plans, district plans, designations, heritage and conservation powers, resource consent procedures, and remedial powers and enforcement procedures.
Prerequisite: LAW 211
Restriction: LAWENVIR 401 or LAW 349 or 450 or 457
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
International Environmental Law - Level 9
Selected problems of international law as related to the protection of the global environment including the present concept of international environmental law and current trends toward a global law of sustainable development, law on climate changes, the ozone layer, the marine environment, biodiversity and the implications of international environmental issues for municipal law. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Mining and Energy Law - Level 9
An examination of the legal principles, government policy, regulation, and administrative control relating to ownership and exploitation of minerals (including oil and gas), and alternative energy resources in New Zealand.
Restriction: ENVLAW 710, 723, LAWENVIR 713
Mining, Energy and Natural Resource Law - Level 9
Study of the common law, legislation and administrative controls in New Zealand relating to ownership of, prospecting for, extraction and use of minerals (including oils and gas), alternative energy resources, forestry and fisheries resources. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Restriction: LAWENVIR 712, 714
Natural Resources Law - Level 9
An examination of the legislative framework and legal principles relating to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries activities in New Zealand. Selected topics will include: legal ownership and interests in rural land and natural resources, the role of government, Māori claims and resource development conflict resolution. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Restriction: LAWENVIR 713
Resource Management Law - Level 9
Studies in the New Zealand law relating to resource management and environmental regulation including: evolution of the sustainable management concept, consideration of national objectives, Treaty of Waitangi application, national standards, coastal policies, regional statements and plans, district plans, designations, heritage and conservation powers, resource consent procedures, and remedial powers and enforcement procedures. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Climate Change Law - Level 9
Explores the interconnected science, policy and legal issues involved in addressing climate change. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Special Topic: Selected Issues in Environmental and Natural Resources Law - Level 9
Global Environmental Governance - Level 9
Critical examination of the current system of international environmental governance (including policies, treaties and institutions). Areas covered include United Nations system, climate change regime, international negotiations and the role of the State. Alternative approaches such as multilevel governance, multilateral decision-making and environmental trusteeship concepts will be examined in terms of their origins, prospects and practical feasibility. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Mining and Energy Law - Level 9
An examination of the historical development, current legislative framework and the legal principles relating to the ownership, prospecting for, extraction and use of minerals, (including oil and gas), and the development of renewable energy resources. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial individual research essay.
Restriction: LAWENVIR 713