Page path:
- Home
- ...
- INTERCOAST
- Latest News
- Archiv
- News 2015
- 11-05-2015 Experiences from New Zealand: A repo...
INTERCOAST
Experiences from New Zealand: A report by David Gehrmeyer IC 11
May 10, 2015
Since October 2014, the location of my office has shifted from the University of Bremen to the Faculty of Law of the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. While it was weather-wise the perfect time to escape the German winter and arrive in springy New Zealand, it was work-wise first of all a little interruption since it has taken some time to get settled in the new surroundings. Basic things like looking for and finding a flat and then purchasing a vehicle to get from the new found flat to my office and back have kept me occupied in the days after my arrival.
Nevertheless, looking from my current point of view, the benefits gained from my stay here so far overweight this little interruption in the beginning by far. It is not only way more encouraging to be on the spot while working on some of New Zealand’s current environmental law issues, but also for a German lawyer like me it is extremely beneficial having great experts of New Zealand’s jurisdiction, as my colleagues and particularly my supervisor Barry Barton are, in my immediate vicinity. The exchange of ideas and discussions around the issues of my thesis were significantly vital to the draft of one of the main chapters of my thesis dealing with the legal situation in New Zealand.
I think that my research stay is also valuable in terms of better understanding some of the local habits and needs. It can, as happened to me, to some extent be instructive talking to some of the local fishermen in a tavern and just listen to their opinions on environmental conservation efforts in their fishing area. Moreover, I recently went on vacation to New Zealand’s beautiful South Island where I was able to see some of the aquaculture farms that have been subject to several Court decisions significantly relevant to my thesis.
Nevertheless, looking from my current point of view, the benefits gained from my stay here so far overweight this little interruption in the beginning by far. It is not only way more encouraging to be on the spot while working on some of New Zealand’s current environmental law issues, but also for a German lawyer like me it is extremely beneficial having great experts of New Zealand’s jurisdiction, as my colleagues and particularly my supervisor Barry Barton are, in my immediate vicinity. The exchange of ideas and discussions around the issues of my thesis were significantly vital to the draft of one of the main chapters of my thesis dealing with the legal situation in New Zealand.
I think that my research stay is also valuable in terms of better understanding some of the local habits and needs. It can, as happened to me, to some extent be instructive talking to some of the local fishermen in a tavern and just listen to their opinions on environmental conservation efforts in their fishing area. Moreover, I recently went on vacation to New Zealand’s beautiful South Island where I was able to see some of the aquaculture farms that have been subject to several Court decisions significantly relevant to my thesis.
I always find it beneficial not only reading about but also personally and visually experiencing such developments.
Although there are almost two months left of my research stay here in Hamilton, I already regard it as a unique and successful experience beneficial for my thesis but also for myself.
Although there are almost two months left of my research stay here in Hamilton, I already regard it as a unique and successful experience beneficial for my thesis but also for myself.
