Hack Justice

Not your typical hackathon. Hack Justice brings together students from across all disciplines to tackle real-life challenges that make our legal and social support systems hard to access. 

Over 24 fast-paced hours, you’ll team up with other bright minds to prototype creative solutions that advance access to justice. Think of it as a design sprint meets purpose-led innovation: You don’t need technical skills - just your brain, your perspective, and your drive to make things better. 

You’ll work on meaningful challenges drawn from Aotearoa’s current systems, including how people apply for support, navigate complex legal processes, and access key information. Along the way, you’ll be guided by mentors from tech, policy, legal, and community organisations.

Whether you’re into social impact, law, technology, creative problem-solving, or just love a good challenge, this is your place to stand out and create value.

Hack Justice is open to students and staff of all faculties of the Univeristy of Auckland and is co-designed by the Centre for Advancing Law and Technology Responsibly (ALTeR) and the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

• Do something that matters: Solve real-world problems impacting real people. 
• Win cash prizes: First place = $3,000, Runner-up = $2,000 
• Learn by doing: Build innovation skills in tech, policy, law, and applying design thinking to make the world a better place.
• Meet great minds: Work alongside students from other faculties, community advocates, and expert mentors. 
• Collaborate: Work with peers from law, business, arts and education, design and science to seek solutions and creatively problem-solve using an interdisciplinary approach
• No experience needed: Zero technical background required—just curiosity and commitment. 
• Stand out on your CV: Show your initiative and creative thinking. Your participation could be credited towards a University of Auckland Distinguished Graduate Award.

• Legal-tech fluency: Understand how technology can lend itself to new opportunities and solutions that address real-world legal and policy changes.
• Problem framing and systems thinking: Learn to analyse complex social and legal systems and reframe them into solvable design challenges. 
• Creative collaboration: Work in cross-disciplinary teams and learn how different fields approach problem-solving. 
• Design thinking: Apply the design thinking process to build human-centred solutions under time pressure. 
• Rapid ideation & prototyping: Develop early-stage prototypes or communication aids - even if you’re not “techy”. 
• Pitching for impact: Learn how to present your ideas clearly and compellingly to expert judges and peers. 
• Purpose-led innovation: Explore how to use your skills, whatever they are, to create practical, positive impact in your community. 

Duration: 24 hours (24 hr hack plus pitches, judging and awards)  

Professor Alexandra Andhov - Director of Center for Advancing Law and Technology Responsibly (ALTeR) 

Dr Alexandra Andhov is an Associate Professor at the University’s Faculty of Law, and a globally recognised expert in corporate and financial law with a passion for innovation and regulatory transformation. She leads the Academic LegalTech Research (ALTeR) Lab, which she co-founded to explore the intersection of law, technology, and society. Under her leadership, ALTeR has become a hub for cutting-edge research and collaboration, addressing pressing issues in the digital economy such as fintech, blockchain, and legal automation. Alexandra brings a transdisciplinary approach to her work, blending legal scholarship with technological insight to help shape the future of law in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Sean Kelly - CIE Technology and Prototyping Manager

Sean is passionate about cultivating a new technological culture that brings together and encourages entrepreneurs and makers alike. A graduate of International Studies from Deakin University and a former tradesman Sean transitioned to the tech sector in the U.S. by working as a Technologist at the successful and unique technology space, Do Space.

Applications close 31 July 2025. Places are limited.

You’ll be asked a few quick questions about your background and interests so we can build teams with a mix of disciplines, experience levels, and strengths.  

The Centre for Advancing Law and Technology Responsibly is hosted by the University of Auckland’s Law School. ALTeR is building a space where forward-thinking research, impactful education and real-world collaboration converse to create solutions that address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Learn more

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides a world of opportunity to participants so that they can stand out and create value through innovative careers and start-up creation.

CIE is New Zealand’s leading University entrepreneurship centre, winning 12 international awards since 2020.