Introduction
The Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation is a New Zealand philanthropic organisation supporting legal research, education and scholarships. Its work aims to strengthen law and improve access to justice across Aotearoa New Zealand.
History and Background
The Foundation was established in 2018 through a NZ$38 million bequest from the late Judge Ian Borrin. It was named in memory of his parents, Michael and Suzanne Borrin, who migrated from Poland to New Zealand during the 1930s.
Mission and Purpose
The Foundation believes that law is essential to a just, inclusive, tolerant and free society. Its vision is for everyone in New Zealand to understand the value of law and benefit from its protection and opportunities.
Its principal focus areas are:
- Criminal justice
- Family law
- Access to civil justice
- Legal research and education
- Māori legal scholarship
- Public understanding of law
Governance and Structure
The Foundation’s trustee is the Nikau Foundation. Funding decisions are made by its Grants and Scholarships Committee, supported by a professional staff team responsible for grant management, applicant engagement and programme administration.
Funding and Grants
The Foundation provides project grants to individuals and organisations undertaking law- and justice-related work in New Zealand. It uses both proactive grant-making and invited applications.
Funding may support:
- Legal and socio-legal research
- Community justice projects
- Public legal education
- Conferences and publications
- Digital legal resources
- Policy and law reform research
Project amounts and durations depend on the proposed work. University overhead costs are not covered, although eligible salaries and teaching buy-outs may be funded. Applicants should review the official eligibility requirements.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Foundation’s individual funding opportunities include:
- Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship
- Community Law Fellowship
- Women Leaders in Law Fellowship
- Māori postgraduate legal scholarships
- Travel and Learning Awards
These programmes support researchers, students, community lawyers and legal professionals whose work can contribute to the development of law in New Zealand.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Since 2018, the Foundation has funded projects addressing imprisonment, restorative justice, youth offending, mental health, consumer protection, disability rights and barriers to civil justice.
Supported initiatives have also strengthened Māori and Pacific legal education, created open-access legal publications and improved public access to legal information. Examples include research on restorative justice for Pacific peoples, Māori law in legal education, a new Civil Rights Handbook and resources on mental health and criminal justice.
Funded research and publications are available through the Foundation’s Research and Resources section.
Conclusion
The Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation is an important source of legal research funding and philanthropic support in New Zealand. Through grants, fellowships, scholarships and educational initiatives, it helps develop legal knowledge, strengthen justice institutions and make law more accessible to communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information, visit here.
