The New Zealand Bar Association (NZBA) is a voluntary organisation for barristers. We provide our member barristers with training, collegial events, networking opportunities, advice about practising at the bar and member benefits. 

  • We are not the regulator for the legal profession. All questions about lawyers' performance and complaints should be directed to the New Zealand Law Society.
  • We also do not provide legal advice or referrals to lawyers. If you want to know more about legal representation, visit this page. 

We are a non-profit incorporated society. Under our Rules of Association, the general functions of the NZBA are to:

  • promote and encourage a strong and independent bar;
  • promote the interests of barristers and the separate independent bar, and the interests of the public in relation to legal representation and the operation of the judicial system generally;
  • preserve and maintain the independence and integrity of barristers;
  • promote and encourage a high standard of ethical conduct amongst barristers;
  • preserve and maintain the independence and integrity of the judiciary;
  • promote and encourage a high standard of legal representation and advocacy;
  • promote opportunities for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge of the law, legal procedure, advocacy, and the conduct of litigation;
  • promote improved access to the courts and to justice for all persons;
  • assist in and promote the reform of the law and legal procedure;
  • discourage and eliminate any form of discrimination among or against barristers of the separate independent bar;
  • provide assistance and encouragement to barristers at the commencement of their practice at the separate independent bar;
  • provide means for the amicable and expeditious settlement of differences between barristers, and between barristers and solicitors.