New Zealand offers international students a unique combination of old and new, of traditional culture mixed with what we call 'new world' thinking: an ability to approach problems innovatively and critically, to look beyond standard responses, to be flexible and respond to changing circumstances. These are all skills highly sought after in the modern world.

Our university system is based on a British heritage and is highly regarded internationally. New Zealand remains a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth represented by a Governor-General – although this is a largely ceremonial role. A single House of Representatives is elected for a three-year term.

The New Zealand legal system is also derived from England's. It has two main components, the common law (the body of law built up from individual court decisions) and statute law (made by Parliament), but is unique in its constitutional arrangement. New Zealand does not have a single written constitution. Rather there are a number of key documents – including the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Treaty of Waitangi – that make up its constitutional arrangements and impact on the law in a variety of ways.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is an agreement between Maori and the British Crown, establishing British law and co-citizenship in New Zealand while also providing for Maori authority over their land and culture. Regarded as the founding document of the nation, it is largely unincorporated in New Zealand law. Over the past 25 years, however, greater awareness and recognition of its importance as a living document with ongoing implications have developed.

Maori culture is a unique facet of New Zealand's past and present, which underpins aspects of everyday and academic life. In addition, New Zealand is home to a multicultural group of peoples from around the South Pacific and the world. As a result of the strongly British base to early colonial settlement, English remains the first language.

We are a relatively young country and maybe that is why New Zealanders are known for their friendliness and relaxed attitude. We are open to doing things differently, are not likely to stand on ceremony and love to spend time outdoors – you can drive from the mountains to the sea in a couple of hours, so skiing and surfing can be on a day's agenda.

While your lecturers will not be relaxed about deadlines, referencing, and accuracy, you will find them approachable and expert. New Zealand academic staff have qualifications from the best universities worldwide and offer a world-class legal education. We joke that our population of four million means the universal idea of 'six degrees of separation' is reduced to one or two degrees – so you will also find them able to put you in touch with a surprising number of leading practitioners and opinion-makers. That is one of the great benefits of a small country: nothing is ever far away and you might even find yourself being taught by a former Prime Minister!

The study of law in New Zealand begins with an undergraduate law degree, either a Bachelor of Laws or (at some schools) a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (a more extensive, research-focused program). There are five law schools in the country – from north to south, at the University of Auckland, the University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Canterbury, and the University of Otago.

The undergraduate degree seeks to provide an introduction to the law and an overview of legal thinking and is generally a four-year program. On completion of this degree, students who wish to practise law must complete a practical professional legal studies course (of around 12 weeks, some of which can be by distance learning).
Graduate programs vary from university to university, but all offer LLM (or Masters in Law) programs, which focus on the in-depth study of intellectually demanding questions relating to the role of law in society – in New Zealand and beyond.
This country has a proud record of engagement in international issues. It is well respected for its role in organisations such as the United Nations and takes a leading role in the Pacific.

Of course, many of you might not be particularly interested in our achievements in the law –the stunning landscapes of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy might be enough to bring you to our unique home. The movies canvassed most of the country for locations so you are unlikely to be far from Rings country wherever you choose to study. And when you tire of the magnificent mountains, rushing rivers, native forests, and brilliant bird life, you can try out the products of this unspoilt country - great food and wine.

What does New Zealand offer postgraduate law students? · A common law system· Expert lecturers· Small scale accessibility · Good global citizenship· A great living environment· A life-long international community.

Make sure you enjoy it all.