Professor of Law, University of Waikato
I work primarily in international law, with specialties in international environmental; and the laws of war/international humanitarian law.
Russia's blockade could cause mass famine beyond Ukraine – but it’s a crime without a name
May 23, 2022 13:11 pm UTC| Politics
Trying to gauge the worst aspect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is difficult. For some, it will be the illegal invasion itself. For others, the war crimes or crimes against humanity committed since. But measured in...
Nov 06, 2021 07:56 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Several times this week, protesters have forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to abandon events aimed to support the COVID vaccination rollout. Over the past few weeks, thousands have gathered, in breach of COVID...
As the Taliban's grip on Afghanistan tightens, New Zealand must commit to taking more refugees
Aug 22, 2021 01:05 am UTC| Politics
With a Defence Force Hercules now en route to Afghanistan to assist with rescue and evacuation, New Zealand joins a 60-country response to the unfolding calamity. Yet doubt still surrounds just who is eligible for the...
WHO reform: a call for an early-warning protocol for infectious diseases
Oct 20, 2020 13:41 pm UTC| Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) has come in for its share of criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some faults are the responsibility of the WHO, others were caused by member states, which did not...
Sep 09, 2020 13:44 pm UTC| Life
The case for a referendum on New Zealands cannabis law was already urgent in 2015 when the supposedly more pressing issue was whether we should change the flag. As I argued at the time, prohibition had failed and was...
Jun 21, 2020 03:50 am UTC| Law
The anger and frustration at New Zealands border quarantine failure have been palpable. Two women, recently arrived in New Zealand, were granted compassionate leave from quarantine to be with grieving family after a...
A year from the Christchurch terror attacks, NZ intelligence records a surge in reports
Mar 01, 2020 13:03 pm UTC| Law
The Christchurch mosque attacks on March 15 last year have prompted a significant rise in tip-offs about people expressing extremist views, according to a report by New Zealands Security Intelligence Service...