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The 22nd Annual Medico Legal Congress 2025

23 - 24 February 2026 | Grand Millennium, Auckland

Navigating the ever-changing medico-legal landscape of Aotearoa

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Where law & medicine meet

Leading voices congregate across law, medicine, regulation, and policy to examine the complex interface between health policy, clinical practice, legislation, and ethics. Explore New Zealand’s latest health system reforms, including the Pae Ora Amendment Bill and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Learn how case law, coronial findings, and disciplinary proceedings are influencing both legal and clinical practice.

Get practical clarity on legal risks, regulatory compliance, and professional responsibilities while also engaging with the ethical challenges such as privacy, AI, workforce integration, and end-of-life care. 

Join us to navigate change, manage risk, and contribute to a fair, safe, and effective health system.

Essential themes requested by you

Court case deep dives

Review of recent Coroners Court proceedings and their implications for practice. Emerging trends in court and policy.

The Pae Ora Amendment Bill, Te Tiriti in health and recent HDC cases.

Supporting the workforce

Staffing and the Law: Navigating Obligations, Risks, and Industrial Challenges.

Integrating Physician Associates into the NZ Health System.

Reflecting on recent Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal Cases.

The future of medico-legal

How AI is being used in the NZ health system – risks and benefits with respect to patient privacy, organisation information and security.

End of Life Choice Act. Implications of The Police Mental Health Response Change Programme.

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Who should attend?

Healthcare leaders and practitioners

  • Doctors, nurses, and health professionals

  • Hospital, healthcare and clinical directors and medical managers

  • Healthcare compliance, and governance leads

Legal and regulatory professionals

  • Lawyers and barristers specialising in health, medical, or elder law

  • Legal advisors to hospitals, DHBs / Te Whatu Ora, and PHOs

Policy and governance professionals

  • Health policy makers and government officials

  • Board members and executives in clinical governance and committees

  • Academics in law, medicine, ethics, and public health

Sector associations

  • Legal and clinical professional and industry bodies

  • Patient advocacy groups

Venue

The location and how you can get there.

Address

Grand Millennium Auckland
71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland 1010

Agenda

Agenda to be announced

8:00

Registration and coffee

08:50

Mihi Whakatau

9:00

Welcome remarks from the Chair

9:10

Ministerial Address: Outlining the Government’s strategic vision and priorities for the New Zealand health system

  • Outlining the Government’s strategic vision and priorities for the New Zealand health system

  • Overview of proposed legislative changes including health targets, infrastructure delivery and the health sector principles and health charter


9:20

Health Practitioners and the Coroners Court: Emerging Trends and Responsibilities

  • Review of recent Coroners Court proceedings and their implications for practice

  • Understanding the expectations and responsibilities of health practitioners when giving evidence in a coroner’s inquiry or inquest

  • How coronial findings influence both medical standards and legal processes

  • Emerging trends and issues affecting the intersection of the medical and legal communities

Judge Anna Tutton, Chief Coroner

9:45

From Policy to Practice Panel: Understanding the Pae Ora Amendment Bill

  • Exploring the amendments to Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, examining structural changes and their impact on patients, providers, and communities

  • New requirements for health strategies and understanding the obligation to give effect to national health targets and what this means in practice

  • Implications for health care providers and assessing the risks, benefits, and operational challenges that come with the legislative changes

  • Analysing the impact of the proposed changes on health equity


10:30

Morning break

11:00

Embedding Te Tiriti in Health: From Principles to Practice

  • Giving meaningful effect to Te Tiriti in the New Zealand health care system and the role of health boards

  • The role of Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) and importance of local voices contributing to health decisions

  • Impact of the Pae Ora Amendment Bill on Māori health and communities


11:40

Safeguarding Privacy in the Age of AI: Risks and Benefits for New Zealand’s Health System

  • How the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and large language models (LLMs) are used in the New Zealand health system

  • The risks and benefits of AI and LLMs in in the context of sensitive patient or organisational information and the privacy code

  • How breaches of privacy can occur using these tools and implications for data storage and security


12:20

Lunch

13:20

Physician Associates in New Zealand: Integration to the New Zealand Healthcare Workforce

  • What is a Physician Associate? Role, purpose, and place in the healthcare team

  • Training requirements and scope of the role including clinical responsibilities, practice settings and education pathways

  • The impact of regulation for the profession including accountability, responsibility and patient safety


13:40

Physician Associates in New Zealand: Regulation, Roles, and Patient Safety

  • An overview of the proposed regulatory framework being developed for physician associates in New Zealand, and what this means for integration into the health workforce

  • Defining the scope of practice, how physician associates will work under supervision, and the pathways for education, training, and professional development

  • Ensuring patient safety remains central by clarifying responsibilities between physician associates, supervising doctors, and other health practitioners

  • Exploring the successes, challenges from international models to guide effective implementation in New Zealand.


14:15

From Regulation to Practice Panel: Integrating Physician Associates into the NZ Health System

  • Implementation and regulation, exploring how new regulations will shape the physician associate role in New Zealand.

  • Understanding scope, supervision and training including responsibilities, oversight responsibilities and professional development pathways

  • Ensuring safe practice and learning from experiences in the United Kingdom and United States of America


15:00

Afternoon Break

15:30

Staffing and the Law: Navigating Obligations, Risks, and Industrial Challenges

  • Staffing obligations, legal duties in hiring, rostering, and fair employment practices

  • Staffing challenges and legal risks including managing disputes and potential legal action

  • Navigating strikes and maintaining compliance during industrial action

  • Ensuring safe staffing levels and managing workplace risks


16:10

Forensic Pathology in Focus: Insights from Criminal and Civil Cases

  • How independent consultants support coroners and solicitors in interpreting medical evidence and strengthening medico-legal decision-making

  • Using international case examples to show how expert re-examination can reveal overlooked findings, prevent errors, and influence case outcomes.

  • The importance of collaboration, clear communication, and independent expertise in both criminal and civil medico-legal proceedings


16:50

Summary remarks from the Chair

17:00

Day 1 Close and Networking Drinks

8:00

Registration and coffee

9:00

Welcome back from the Chair

9:05

Health and Disability Commissioner Address: Lessons for the system from the work of the HDC

  • Reflecting on HDC cases over the last 12 months and identifying current challenges for healthcare practitioners and the public

  • Analysing trends in the complaints received by the HDC – what do these tell us about the key quality, safety and legal issues within New Zealand healthcare?

  • Identifying lessons for the system in the way they manage quality and safety and in the way they respond to incidents and complaints

Morag McDowell, Commissioner, Health and Disability Commission

9:45

Health Equity in Action Panel: Bridging Gaps in Access and Outcomes

  • Impact of practicing in a resource constrained environment on access to healthcare for vulnerable or disadvantaged populations

  • Understanding cultural safety and cultural competence for patient safety and health equity

  • Unpacking barriers to accessing health care and the systemic changes required for health equity


10:30

Morning break

11:00

Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal Cases in Review: Lessons for Safe and Compliant Practice

  • Reflection on HPDT cases over the past 12 months, highlighting trends and outcomes

  • Exploring issues faced by healthcare practitioners and the public in navigating professional standards and complaints processes

  • Practical insights on avoiding future complaints, improving professional practice, and maintaining patient trust.


11:40

Mental Health Response: The Police Mental Health Response Change Programme

  • Outlining the rollout of The Police Mental Health Response Change Programme

  • Understanding the phased approach, how changes are being implemented and where things are at

  • Implications for the health system and what it means for health care providers


12:20

Law Commission recommendations – Adults decision-making capacity

  • Understanding the current law under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act and recommendations for law reform

  • The impact of increased recognition of the human rights of people with disabilities and a lack in understanding of te Tiriti o Waitangi, te ao Maori and the multi-cultural nature of New Zealand within the law


13:00

Lunch

14:00

Withdrawing or Withholding Treatment: Rights and Responsibilities

  • Unpacking recent case law on the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment

  • Understanding the principles guiding decisions to withdraw or withhold treatment, including patient autonomy, consent, and professional obligations

  • Understanding the rights of patients, practitioners and health care providers


14:30

Unpacking the Legislation: End of Life Choice Act today

  • Exploring the End of Life Choice Act, the 2024 legislation review and where things are at today

  • Understanding the proposed changes to the Act and implications for practitioners, patients and their families

  • Examine gaps in current legislature and areas that require clearer guidance on process and implementation


15:00

Public Health Advocacy: Legal Requirements of Practioners Speaking in the Public Sphere

  • Exploring the requirements of medical professionals offering public advice and advocacy including gaining an initial review by Te Whatu Ora at a national level

  • Legal implications for practitioners regarding addition to the Pae Ora Amendment Bill requiring Te Whatu Ora staff to maintain political neutrality


15:30

AI in Aotearoa Health Care: Ethics, Equity, and Accountability

  • Exploring the opportunities and risks for the use of AI in healthcare in New Zealand and their complex legal and ethical considerations

  • How AI tools are being used within Te Whatu Ora and their alignment with ethical, technical, clinical, and operational standards

  • Examining the way AI tools impact equity in access and outcomes in healthcare

Professor Robyn Whittaker, Clinical Director for Evidence & Pathways and Data & Analytics within Planning, Funding & Outcomes, Te Whatu Ora and Chair of Te Whatu Ora’s National AI & Algorithm Expert Advisory Group

16:00

Summary remarks from the Chair and Conference Close

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Speakers

Speakers to be announced

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Morag McDowell

Commissioner
Health and Disability Commission
Morag McDowell, Health and Disability Commissioner, began her term in September 2020. Morag took up the role after serving nearly 13 years as a Coroner based in Auckland. She was formerly a Crown Prosecutor, Director of Proceedings for the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Office, and a Senior Legal Adviser at Crown Law. Since completing her Master of Laws degree, her legal practice has had a strong focus on healthcare law, and she has appeared in different courts and tribunals on a variety of health-related litigation. She has also lectured and published on a range of medico-legal issues. Morag is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of health and disability services consumers where the Code sets the benchmark for good practice, and opportunities for learning and quality improvement are embraced. She strongly values the importance of fair, timely, transparent, and culturally appropriate processes where people are engaged, and given the opportunity to be heard.

Johanna Drayton

Partner
Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law
Johanna is a partner at Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law, a specialist employment law firm. She commenced her career at a large law firm and later became a partner in a boutique litigation law firm. She completed her honours degree in privacy law. Her clients are public and private sector employers and employees. Johanna has significant experience and expertise in all aspects of employment practice and advocacy. Her background includes practising in the area of health law advice/Medico-legal. Johanna has a broad base of court experience representing clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, District and High Courts, Court of Appeal and numerous specialist jurisdiction tribunals/courts such as the Coroner’s Court, and the Mental Health Review Tribunal. Johanna has significant past experience in medico–legal matters, including representing responsible clinicians at defended Compulsory Treatment Order hearings, representing a DHB regarding various medical matters before the Coroner’s Court and advice on HDC and other medico-legal matters. She has published on Privacy, Official Information and the Human Rights Act. Johanna is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (Wellington Branch), and the Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association.

Jordan Boyle

Partner
Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law
Jordan graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 2014 and was admitted to the Bar in September 2014. He joined Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law in 2016 and became a partner in 2023. Jordan strategically advises employers and employees on a range of employment law matters including personal grievances, privacy issues, performance management, disciplinary and restructuring processes, and reviewing and drafting employment agreements and policies. His clients include various agencies within the health sector.

Judge Anna Tutton

Chief Coroner
Judge Tutton was appointed as a coroner in January 2015, and as Deputy Chief Coroner in 2020. She was then appointed as Chief Coroner in November 2022, and as a District Court Judge in January 2023. With a previous career in criminal law, Judge Tutton is no stranger to highly complex crisis scenarios, including mass fatality events, which have been well documented in New Zealand’s recent history. Her experience as a Crown Prosecutor and legal manager in Police led her to the work of the Coroners Court. As Chief Coroner, she is striving to ensure the Coroners Court operates in a people-centred way and meets the needs of the community it serves.

Workshop

Workshop to be announced

Separately Bookable Workshop

POST CONFERENCE

The intersection of capacity, consent, and documentation: Legal implications and protections for patients and providers

25 February 2025 | 3.15 PM - 6.00 PM

In this workshop you will dive into:

  • The importance of informed consent, patient capacity, and accurate documentation in medico-legal practice
  • Key legal frameworks in New Zealand and international guidelines
  • Understanding Capacity in Medical Decision-Making
  • Informed Consent: Legal and Ethical Considerations
  • Core principles of informed consent: autonomy, voluntariness, and understanding
  • How to obtain valid consent from patients with diminished capacity
  • Special considerations for obtaining consent from vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with cognitive impairments
  • The role of documentation in protecting the providers and patients
  • Legal importance of thorough and accurate documentation in the informed consent process
  • How documentation can provide legal protection in cases of disputed consent or capacity
  • Best practices for documenting consent discussions, capacity assessments, and any involvement of surrogate decision-makers
  • Ethical dilemmas at the intersection of Capacity, Consent, and Documentation
  • Legal protections afforded to healthcare providers when capacity assessments, consent, and documentation are done properly
  • How to mitigate risk through proactive legal and ethical approaches
  • Role of legal counsel and ethics committees in complex case
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Iris Reuvecamp

Principal

Vida Law

Sponsors

Sponsors to be announced

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