Reform Bill. The Institute stated that the Bill would legitimise and increase the exploitation of women in New Zealand. It also opposed the Civil Union and Relationships Statutory References Bills in the following year, and argued that such moves would make "marriage meaningless." The act was passed, and lesbian and gay New Zealanders acquired secular ceremonial and ritual recognition of their relationships and substantive equal relationship-related rights and responsibilities within most areas of New Zealand law. Fiscal Conservative Era: CEO Greg Fleming: 2005- After the retirement of Bruce Logan, the Institute moved to emphasise fiscal conservatism as well as its previous focus on the aforementioned social conservative 'core' issues. Thus, it has also supported other measures which "empower parents," localising decision making. Maxim Institute has also endorsed restorative justice, parental choice of schools, democratic involvement, performance related pay for teachers, strong communities, limited government, low taxes and personal responsibility. The Institute holds regular forums, including one held at the Auckland Town Hall and centred on the theme of "social justice". Speakers have included Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, University of Canterbury Professor David Fergusson and Researcher Professor Peter Saunders. In 2008, it held the first of its Annual John Graham Lectures. This was delivered by Professor Jeremy Waldron of NYU Law School and titled "Parliamentary Recklessness: Why we need to legislate more carefully". The Institute also holds regular public lectures on topics such as tax and "social justice". However, as with its adoption of 'civil society' rhetoric, there have been minor criticisms of its concept of 'social justice', which rules encourages public participation through renewed emphasis on privatisation policies, as well as redistributive taxation policies to ensure equality of opportunity. History Maxim Institute was founded on 12 November 2001 by Greg Fleming (formerly general manager of Parenting with Confidence) and Bruce Logan, a former Headmaster, and former Director of the New Zealand Education Development Foundation (NZEDF) in Christchurch. John Graham (then University of Auckland Chancellor) also played a role in the Institute's founding. After serving four years as the Institute's Director, Bruce Logan retired in 2005 and was replaced by Greg Fleming. Maxim Institute's Christchurch office closed in early 2006. Publications Maxim Institute has published various books and reports on issues including political correctness, curriculum, and marriage law. These books include Silent Legacy: The unseen ways great thinkers have shaped our culture, which considers the history of western philosophy. Pursuing