NEWS RELEASE
6 March 2014
New Zealand Students to Make Their Case on the World Stage
A team of law students from Otago University leaves early next week to compete in the Red Cross Asia Pacific
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot competition in Hong Kong.
Amber Hosking and Alicia Rosevear along with their coach Matthew Mortimer beat four other university law schools to win
the New Zealand Red Cross IHL Moot Competition in December last year.
They were chosen by a panel of judges including former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer.
The students were asked to make their case on a variety of issues including protection of civilians, healthcare workers,
and the environment during armed conflict.
New Zealand Red Cross advocacy and policy manager Gabrielle Emery says Amber and Alicia won because they presented
strong legal arguments and were composed and professional in their delivery.
“They were able to think on their feet and demonstrated an excellent understanding of international humanitarian legal
principles. They were also not fazed by a high degree of questioning by the judges.”
Amber Hosking also won the best speaker prize.
This is the second year the moot competition has been held in association with the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC).
Ms Emery says for international humanitarian law to be effective in times of conflict, it must be understood in
peacetime.
“This moot not only promotes better awareness of such issues among tertiary students but also gives students the
opportunity to engage with legal professionals who are working in this field both domestically and internationally,” she
says.
The Otago team will be presented with their winner’s trophy by New Zealand Red Cross national president Dr Jenny McMahon
today at the Otago University Law Faculty.
They will travel to Hong Kong on Tuesday next week to represent New Zealand against 24 other teams from 18 countries
across the Asia-Pacific region.
ENDS