Dispute resolution in the post Viking era: ombudsman duel lives on

Dispute resolution in the post Viking era: ombudsman duel lives on
In 1962, New Zealand became the first country outside of Sweden to adopt the now-capitalised ‘Ombudsman’ term for official government duty.
David Chaplin
The Vikings started it.With all those sharp weapons lying around, the old Norsemen probably needed an independent third-party to settle petty internal disputes before things turned nasty.Enter the umboðsmaður, the Old Norse word meaning ‘representative’ that the new Swedes translated as ‘umbuds man’ before it was pressed into English usage as ‘ombudsman’.In a little-known fact buried among a Wellington High Court ruling handed down this February 26, in 1962, New Zealand became the first country outsid...

More Opinion

Archaic standards stifling innovation, engineers say
Opinion

Maria Slade: Archaic standards stifling innovation, engineers say

Some standards haven't been reviewed since the 1970s, holding NZ back, engineers say.

Maria Slade 16 Jun 2025
IPOs: Baby Come Back
Opinion

Simon Robertson: IPOs: Baby Come Back

With IPOs, there's no steady state, just opportunities. 

Simon Robertson 14 Jun 2025
The pragmatism behind the WorkSafe reforms
Law & Regulation

Mike Mercer: The pragmatism behind the WorkSafe reforms

The greatest risk right now is not the reform itself, but how it is being received.

Mike Mercer 13 Jun 2025
Will Paypal co-founder Max Levchin return?
Opinion

Robbie Paul: Will Paypal co-founder Max Levchin return?

The golden age of golden visas is dawning in New Zealand.

Robbie Paul 12 Jun 2025