Co-hosted by the New Zealand Centre for Public Law
He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka
A stormy sea can be navigated
By adopting this whakataukī (proverb) to develop the theme of the conference, the Organising Committee is aiming to capture the zeitgeist of today’s international legal order, while drawing on a metaphor that is particularly apt for our gathering together on the shores of Moana Oceania.
The lyrical quality of the whakataukī should not beguile us into under-estimating the challenges. This may not be a passing storm. These stormy seas might be causing lasting destruction. We may have already suffered irreparable structural harm. Recognising all that, the challenges bring with them an opportunity to re-imagine – and re-build – whole new worlds, whole new ways of being, new communities, and new strategies. The challenges also invite us to listen and be attentive to other voices that may have been neglected. Even if we are not spurred to radical change, at the very least, the challenges might prompt us to think carefully about our traditional tools and re-examine our long-cherished assumptions.
We hope that this conference can provide the opportunity to imagine new worlds. In doing so, we ask if there is still a place for reform of the old system? Of the old ways of doing things? If we do embark on imagining new worlds, then what might the contours of new horizons look like? If we persist with the familiar, how might renewal or reform emerge? If we fail to adapt, then what lies ahead?
We look forward to welcoming participants to the 33rd ANZSIL Conference on the theme: Navigating Stormy Seas: People, Place and Perspectives in International Law.
Conference Program
The Conference will begin on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 9AM with a welcome (registration will be open from 8.30AM) and will conclude on Friday 3 July 2026 at 1PM.
The FINAL PROGRAM and BIOGRAPHIES AND ABSTRACTS are now available.
We are delighted to advise that our keynote speakers will be:
- Professor Kate Miles, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge ('Seas that Overwhelm: International Law and its Construction and Destruction in Stormy Waters')
- Mr Chris Sidoti, an experienced international human rights lawyer and advocate ('Has the good ship International Law sailed?)
The Sir Kenneth Keith Annual Lecture will be delivered by Judge Advocate General Kevin Riordan ONZM on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 5.30PM. ANZSIL Conference delegates are warmly invited to attend, but separate registration is required (here).
Conference Venue
This year's conference will take place in-person at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington in central Wellington.
The conference will be catered with vegetarian catering. Please note any dietaries on the registration form.
ANZSIL International Law Teaching Workshop (Tuesday 30 June)
The ANZSIL International Law Teaching Interest Group is holding a workshop on teaching international law on the afternoon of Tuesday 30 June at Victoria University of Wellington. The workshop will be an opportunity for ANZSIL members to discuss their role and work as teachers of international law.
Conference Dinner
The conference dinner will take place on Thursday 2 July 2026 at the Grand Hall at the New Zealand Parliament. Entry to Parliament will be available from 6.15PM, with pre-dinner drinks from 6.30PM and dinner served at 7PM.
The conference dinner will feature the presentation of the 2026 ANZSIL Publication Prizes and international law trivia!
Registrations for the Conference dinner have now closed.
Registration for Conference, Dinner, and Teaching Workshop
Registration for the 33rd ANZSIL Annual Conference has now closed. If you were not able to join us this year, we look forward to welcoming you to the 34th ANZSIL Annual Conference in 2027.
New Members/Student Associates
If you would like to join ANZSIL as a new member or a student associate, please click here.
Accommodation
A list of accommodation options is available here.
Travel Information
Participants and delegates are responsible for ensuring that they comply with visa and any other requirements for entering New Zealand. ANZSIL is not able to provide advice to delegates about visas.
Registration Cancellation and Refund Policy
A registrant must provide the registration confirmation details (including the email address used to pay) when submitting a written cancellation request to anzsil@anu.edu.au.
Cancellation requests cannot be taken over the telephone. Cancellation requests will not be processed after Tuesday 23 June 2026 unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Conference no-shows are ineligible for a refund.
