Legal Advisory Group

The Legal Advisory Group provides advice to the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) on legal issues, recommends system improvements and supports engagement with stakeholders and interest groups within the legal community. It also oversees the mediation and determination services available to Canterbury earthquake claimants.

Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference for the NZCRS Legal Advisory Group

Member

The Legal Advisory Group is chaired by Miriam Dean KC and convened on an adhoc basis as required.

Chair – Miriam Dean CNZM KC

Miriam’s many years of experience in dispute resolution, review work and governance allow her to take on the most difficult and diverse issues. She is a King’s Counsel; a director of  Rau Paenga Limited (which supports the delivery of infrastructure for Crown agencies), Chorus Limited (providing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure nationwide), REINZ – Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (a membership organisation representing real estate professionals nationwide) and chair of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme (an approved body to resolve complaints between banks and customers); and has led many government and private reviews.

She also serves on other governing advisory boards or committees including as a member of the Department of Internal Affairs Advisory Board. Miriam played a leading role in setting up the internal dispute resolution processes of the Greater Christchurch Earthquakes Claims Resolution Service and those of the now wider and national New Zealand Claims Resolution Service.

Latest meeting minutes – 5 March 2025

Present

  • Miriam Dean (Chair)
  • Vanessa Howell (Crown Law)
  • Emily Walton (Independent Lawyer)
  • John Hardie (Advisor Internal Disputes Resolution)

In attendance

  • Darren Wright (Director, NZCRS)
  • Edward Butler (Solicitor, MBIE)
  • Kirsty Hamilton (Principal Advisor Insurance Claims, NZCRS)
  • Catherine Tibbles (Senior Coordinator Delivery Support, NZCRS)
  • Izaac Surgue (Engineering New Zealand)
  • Robert Vincent (Community Law Canterbury)

Meeting Administration

Conflicts of Interest

  1. No conflicts of interest declared.

Minutes and Actions

  1. The minutes were taken as read and updates provided on the outstanding actions.

Items

NZCRS Operational

  1. The Director spoke to his April 2025 NZCRS Director’s Report which highlighted key achievements over the quarter including the reduction in aged cases. The group recommended this remains a key focus for NZCRS.
  2. The group discussed cases outside of the Treasury On Sold Programme, administered by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) and what, if anything, can be done to assist with the resolution of these cases.
  3. The Director spoke to the governance paper with the group supporting the proposal to disestablish the Legal Advisory Group under the current business as usual structure for the reasons set out in that paper. This is provided that legal representation remains on the Advisory Committee and that the IDRS Advisor John Hardie attends these meetings to ensure dispute resolution – a key feature of the NZRCS - can be reported on to the Committee. The group highlighted the need for NZCRS to commit to capturing the establishment of governance groups, like the Legal Advisory Group, to aid in their future set up if needed following another natural disaster event.

IDRS Update

  1. The IDRS Advisor spoke to issues highlighted in the NZCRS Director’s Report.
  2. The group discussed the establishment of the IDRS and the importance of capturing again how this was done and key learnings for future requirements.

Review of Agenda

General Business

  1. The group acknowledged the departure of the NZCRS Director who finishes up with NZCRS in March. The group expressed their appreciation of the Director’s dedication, excellence and absolute passion to assist the people of New Zealand with their natural disaster related claims. 
  2. The NZCRS Director thanked the group for their support and service.
  3. The group acknowledged this meeting would be the last under the current business as usual structure and that it could be proud of all it had achieved since its inception.