1. Faculty development workshop day
15 January 2016
EUIJ, Waseda University, Japan
Kia kaha Europe: Teaching and Learning European Union Law in New Zealand
Annick Masselot Associate Professor in Law, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

2. How to teach EU (law) effectively in the Asia-Pacific Region?

3. How to teach EU (law) effectively in New Zealand?
Context of the EU-NZ Relationship
History (colonial)
Culture
Special relationship with the UK
Trade
Similar geographical interests
The population is mainly European with around 75% of residents designating themselves as being of European descent, 16% as New Zealand Māori, 8% as Pacific Islanders, 12% as Asian and 1% as other. (Note: Census respondents are able to give multiple responses to ethnicity questions, hence the number of responses is greater than the total population). There is a high incidence of intermarriage among these groups. The majority of Europeans are of British descent, while the New Zealand Māori are of the
same ethnic origin as the indigenous populations of Tahiti, Hawaii and several other Pacific Islands. In recent years there has been an increasing level of immigration from Asian countries.

4. Common History and Culture
Colonial background
mid-1600s the Dutch Abel Tasman
late-1700s Captain Cook
The country's political and social development, dating back to the mid-1600s, with the Dutch Abel Tasman expeditions, and the late-1700s when Captain Cook.

5. EU-NZ Trade
The EU is NZ’s 3rd largest trading partner (after Australia and China): 12.6% of its total trade
Although trade with the members of the European Union has declined in value terms, taken as a bloc the Union would be New Zealand’s third largest trading partner and
is an important market for exports such as sheep meat and wine. Together, European Union members take around 10% of exports (in value terms) and provide around 18.4% of imports. Bilateral goods trade amounts to around $13.9 billion or around 14.0% of total exports and imports. Services, particularly tourism are also an important element of EU/New Zealand trade.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Global New Zealand – International trade, investment, and travel profile 2015

6. The EU as a model – comparative value
NZ legal system is based on the UK common law but has received also European influences
Based on same or similar norms
Actors in the same region: Asia-Pacific

7. Teaching EU Law in NZ

8. EU law courses in NZ Universities
University
Level
Students numbers
EU law
University of Canterbury
(Law School)
Undergraduate
Circa 50
European Public Law
Postgraduate
Circa 15
European Business Law
(Business school)
Circa 10
European environmental law and governance
Auckland University (Law) ?
Fundamentals of EU law
Victoria University in Wellington
(Law)
Otago University (Law)

9. Teaching European Union Law
Motivations
Trade and economic ties between NZ and the EU
The importance of the “OE” experience for New Zealander
The impact of European and international students in NZ
Challenges
Lack of students motivation
Adequate text book
Experience
Complexity of legal rules
Legal technics
Comparative experience
Inter/ multi disciplinary

10. Learning EU law in NZ

11. Students experience of EU law
Motivation
Broadening the legal experience
International appeal / Human rights
Economic
Pacific / globalisation
supporting their career objectives
Resources
Textbooks v Internet
Learning experience
Lack of practical experience
Post-learning relevance