Environmental Law Prize Presented to University of Waikato Student

29 Nov 2011

Josh Blue is this year's winner of the Simpson Grierson Environmental Law Prize. Josh achieved an A grade in the University of Waikato's Environmental Law paper. He was presented with a cheque for $1,000 by Simpson Grierson partner, Heather Ash at a special prize-giving and morning tea at the firm's Auckland office last week.

The prize was established in 1992 to encourage excellence in the study of environmental law. The winner is chosen after the students with the top four grades in the paper have been interviewed by the firm's judging panel. Heather says "Josh was a standout candidate for the prize. He is someone who has consistently achieved at university and especially in this paper. He articulated his love of the topic and will be a great addition to the legal profession when he graduates."

Josh completes his conjoint degree in Law (Hons) and Social Sciences (majoring in Geography and Economics) at the University of Waikato next year and in the second semester will be heading to Copenhagen on a student exchange, which will be partly funded by his prize money.

 Josh's interest and passion for environmental law was the driving factor behind his success in this paper. He says "What I like about this area of law is the weighing of the competing arguments of economic development versus environmental preservation, both of which can be equally valid in any particular case."

 He has continued this interest by undertaking Honours research in related fields, with two Honours papers, Energy and Resources Law and the International Law of the Sea. He plans to one day practise in a large commercial firm, specialising in resource management, environmental and property law with a particular interest in the development of energy law in New Zealand including mining, oil and gas.  

Josh Blue and Heather Ash