Dr. Mark Hickford

Biography

Mark Hickford is a Visiting Professor and barrister based at Thorndon Chambers, Wellington, New Zealand. He obtained his doctorate (DPhil) from the University of Oxford in 1999 and holds degrees in law, history, and political studies from the University of Auckland. Prior to his current role, he served as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Government, Law, and Business at Victoria University of Wellington until July 4, 2023, where he managed 728 staff across various faculties. He has extensive legal experience in both public and private sectors, with specialized expertise in Māori-Crown Relations, constitutional public law, and Treaty settlements. Mark has represented clients in senior courts on significant cases, including the landmark decision in Attorney-General v Ngāti Apa. His public service roles include legal advisor to the Prime Minister from 2010 to 2015, and he has board positions on the Australia New Zealand School of Government and the Institute of Judicial Studies in New Zealand. Mark's publications address issues in law, history, and colonial legal history, including his book 'Lords Land: Indigenous Property Rights Jurisprudence Empire' published by Oxford University Press in 2011.

Research Interests

Experience