The nexus between environmental law education and better government in New Zealand and a special place for distance in its delivery.
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Authors
Fisher, R. M.
Keywords
Environmental law education
Distance education
Distance education
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Issue Date
2016
Peer-reviewed status
Type
Article
Abstract
This paper explores the current status of environmental law education in New Zealand, in both Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and non-LLB contexts. Its relevance to better government is shown by the strong connections between the Local Government Act 2002 (NZ) and the Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ) in government decision-making, and by the need for education that is engendered by the extent of current environmental reform, and associated work streams in this area. Environmental law education offered by universities and polytechnics in New Zealand, was studied and compared to current areas of practice. Furthermore, enrolment information for two ‘Level Six’ environmental law courses taught by distance at the Open Polytechnic in New Zealand, was analysed in order to reveal other study pathways. The results confirm the existence of historically close connections between environmental education, and distance education as a delivery platform. They also suggest new opportunities for greater involvement of environmental law in digital education futures.
Citation
Fisher, R. M. (2016). The nexus between environmental law education and better government in New Zealand and a special place for distance in its delivery. Journal of the Australasian Law Teachers Association, 9(1&2), 47–56. Retrieved from http://www.alta.edu.au/resources/COMMUNICATIONS/JALTA/2016%20JALTA/RFisher%20Environmental%20Law%20Education%20NZ.pdf