Wellington networking event

Date: 26 August 2026
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Gallagher Insurance House, Level 1, 15 Willeston Street, Wellington

In between networking, we will hear briefly from:

  • Emma Gabor of Gabor Law, on landslip claims and the NHC; and
  • Jonathan Scragg of Duncan Cotterill, who will be providing an update on current international events, drawing from his work as NZILA representative to AIDA.

Damien Coates’ mental health journey webinar

Date: 6 August 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Online

Mental illness is one of the biggest issues facing society today. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 mental illness will have overtaken all other illnesses combined.
Damien Coates first experienced Depression in 1999 and over the last 25 years he has learnt how to manage his mental health. In recent years he has become a Mental Health Ambassador, fundraising over $1.2million for Black Dog Institute, and speaking to tens of thousands of people. 
Damien is passionate about raising awareness of mental illness, breaking down stigmas, and sharing the clinically proven approach he uses in his own life to support positive mental health. During this session, Damien will share information on the mental health crisis facing society, his own personal mental health journey, and the tools, techniques and support available for people to manage their own mental health.

Speaker: Damien Coates
Damien Coates has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years. He founded DUAL in Australia in 2004 and since then has overseen the growth of the business to $500m in premium with six offices in Australia and New Zealand.  
Damien has been a public advocate for mental health for many years, participating in numerous cycling, running and adventure challenges to raise awareness and funds for mental health. Together with DUAL, Damien has fundraised over $1.2million for Black Dog Institute and shared his lived experience with Depression with tens of thousands of people.  

Moderator: Sean O’Sullivan, Wotton Kearney

Who Underwrites the Algorithm? AI, Insurance and Regulation

Date: 27 July 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 11:45 am
Location: Movenpick Hotel Auckland and online

As AI transforms both the risks that insurers cover and the way insurers make decisions, new legal and regulatory challenges are emerging. Join Professor Daniel Schwarcz of the University of Minnesota Law School as he explores how uncertainty around AI-related liability is reshaping insurance markets, drawing lessons from cyber insurance, and examines the implications of insurers’ use of AI in underwriting, pricing and claims handling. This timely session will address critical questions of accountability, transparency, explainability and fairness in an increasingly algorithm-driven insurance sector.

10.00am – Registration along with morning tea and networking
10.45am – session begins 
11.45am – session ends

Moderator: Virginia Wethey

NZILA Lecture Series – The Challenges of Litigants in Person, a Fresh Perspective

Date: 25 June 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: National Library Wellington and online

This address examines the challenges that litigants in person present within legal proceedings, and the responsibilities of the profession in ensuring their effective inclusion. These challenges are evolving as unrepresented parties increasingly use generative AI to produce submissions, which may appear sophisticated on the face, but contain error and confusion.

The common response is to point to pro bono. While pro bono has its place, it can only ever be part of the response and is not the focus of this address. Instead, I argue that more fundamental shifts in everyday legal practice are required. Drawing on over a decade of research into access to justice and the experiences of litigants in person, I will identify practical ways in which lawyers can better understand and respond to these challenges, including the growing presence of AI-assisted advocacy.

Speaker: Bridgette Toy-Cronin
Associate Professor Bridgette Toy-Cronin is the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago. A graduate of the University of Auckland (LLB(Hons) & BA), Harvard University (LLM) and the University of Otago (PhD), her research focuses on access to justice, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of litigants in person and the civil justice system. Before moving into academia, she practiced in civil litigation in both New Zealand and Australia.

Time: 
10.00am – in-person arrival, morning tea and networking
10.30am – session stars in-person and live online
12.00pm – session ends, guests depart

Meet the Leaders – Christchurch

Date: 6 May 2026
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: Novotel, Christchurch

Join industry leaders over an informal light breakfast to gain knowledge on this dynamic industry. 
Hear from leaders on their views of the future of Insurance and Insurance Law.

Meet the Leaders – Auckland

Date: 23 April 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: SO Hotel, Auckland

Join industry leaders over an informal light breakfast to gain knowledge on this dynamic industry. 
Hear from leaders on their views of the future of Insurance and Insurance Law.

Meet the Leaders – Wellington

Date: 20 April 2026
Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Location: Dockside Restaurant, Wellington

Join industry leaders over an informal light breakfast to gain knowledge on this dynamic industry. 
Hear from leaders on their views of the future of Insurance and Insurance Law.

Professional Indemnity Insurance: Insights for the Legal Profession

Date: 17 March 2026
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: In person in Wellington or online

This hybrid event will feature a panel discussion including an Insurance Broker, an Underwriter and a Claims Lawyer.

Join an expert panel—Insurance Broker, Underwriter and Specialist Insurance Lawyer—for a focused discussion designed to equip legal professionals with the knowledge and understanding of the current market conditions, changes and claims. Kicked off by a brief welcome from our moderator, this session brings together the people who place, price and resolve PI risk so you hear every side of the story.

Wellington end of year catch up

Date: 17 December 2025
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Duncan Cotterill, Level 5, Duncan Cotterill House, 50 Customhouse Quay, Wellington

Join us for an informal networking catch up with some nibbles and drinks

Christchurch end of year catch up

Date: 5 November 2025
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Gallaghers, Level 2, PWC Centre, 60 Cashel Street, West End, Christchurch

Please join us for an informal networking catch up with some nibbles and drinks.

This event is free to attend but please register