Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Lecture Fund

Sir Owen Woodhouse made a significant contribution to New Zealand during his lifetime as a progressive and innovative figure leading in social reform and the development of New Zealand jurisprudence.

During his time as a Judge of the Supreme Court, Sir Owen led on the ground-breaking reform of New Zealand’s personal injury compensation. He is best known for chairing the Royal Commission on Personal Injury in New Zealand from 1966 – 1967. The outcome, known as the Woodhouse Report, recommended that New Zealand introduce a no-fault accident compensation scheme. The scheme, which continues today, as ACC, is internationally renowned as a major innovation.

The Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Fund was generously established by the Woodhouse Family. The purpose of the fund is to deliver the biennial Sir Owen Woodhouse Memorial Lecture. Your donation will enable the memorial lecture to be delivered in perpetuity with visiting speakers from across Australasia, thus honouring Sir Owen’s life and legacy.