After an extraordinary career, Professor Jane Kelsey is retiring from her role at the University of Auckland.  Throughout her four decades at the University, Jane has redefined what it means to be an academic, combining praxis with cutting edge scholarship, front-line activism, strategic litigation and transformational teaching. At the heart of Jane’s work has been a concern to address structural injustice and she has steadfastly used her academic position to speak truth to power and seek meaningful change in Aotearoa and internationally.

As current colleagues of Jane’s, we have always been in awe of Jane’s courage, dedication and fierce intellect, and would like to encourage future generations of students to follow in her footsteps and pursue social justice.  To this end, we are establishing the Jane Kelsey Te Whainga I te Tika Award, to be awarded annually to a University of Auckland student or group of University of Auckland students who have made an outstanding contribution to social justice. This form of award seems the most appropriate for honouring Jane, and it has her support as well we as the support of the Law Faculty and University. 

Thanks to a number of generous lead donors including Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, Dame Helen Winkelmann, Sir Ted and Lady Margaret Thomas, Dr Rodney Harrison QC and Emeritus Professor Michael Neill we have received around $30 000 of donations so far. We are now opening a public appeal to raise a further $20 000 so the award can be established in perpetuity. Every dollar counts – no gift is too big or too small. We do hope you will join us in being part of something special in recognition of Jane and her legacy.

Thank you very much,

Julia Tolmie, Hanna Wilberg, An Hertogen and Anna Hood