Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne.
It is with much sadness that the Commissioners and staff of Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission learned of the passing of the Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith.
Sir Kenneth’s many achievements and accolades are well known, but for the Commission it is his role as a law reformer that rings clearest.
Sir Kenneth was a founding member of the Commission. He served as its Deputy President from 1986 and then as its President from 1991 to 1996. He presided over its 10th anniversary in 1996.
The Commission produced some hugely influential law reform reports during his time at the Commission, which saw improvements to the structure of the courts, the form and accessibility of legislation, arbitration, aspects of damages, property law and company law, among others. Some of those reports continue to be cited in the senior courts and legal commentary to this day.
Throughout his time at the Commission, Sir Kenneth also represented the Commission as a member of the Legislation Advisory Committee.
Sir Kenneth returned to the Commission as recently as 2024 to share his wealth of experience and wisdom in law reform in a seminar to Commission staff.
In farewelling Sir Kenneth in 1996, the Commission noted:
“His enthusiasm for law reform, and his great encouragement of those working with him, were important factors in the development of the Commission, and his presence will be sorely missed.”
The Commission farewells a giant in the law and in law reform. Lady Jocelyn, and their children and extended family, are in our thoughts.
E te tōtara, e rere ā mātou kupu mihi ki a koe, haere, haere, haere atu rā.
– ENDS –About Te Aka Matua o te Ture I Law Commission
Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is an Independent Crown entity operating under its own statute, the Law Commission Act 1985. It reports to the Minister responsible for the Law Commission. The Commission’s statutory purpose is to “promote the systematic review, reform and development of the law of New Zealand”. The Commission receives its work programme of law reform and development work as references from the responsible Minister under section 7 of the Law Commission Act and from Parliament. Visit lawcom.govt.nz for more information.
