Voting for TLANZ council closes at 4pm today

What skills and experience do you bring to the table as a prospective member of The Law Association’s council?

I practise as a barrister in Auckland and Hamilton, having been admitted on 2 November 1990. I was born in Marton and whakapapa to Ngati Mamoe, a South Island iwi.

My current practice is largely civil, commercial and public law litigation, having previously undertaken a considerable amount of criminal and regulatory work and dabbling in a variety of fields of law over the years.

I have appeared in the Court of Appeal on more than 100 occasions, in seven full hearings before the Supreme Court and in the Cook Islands.

I have experience as a District Law Society president in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty. I’ve also chaired many Law Society committees and I was the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) Vice President for two years from 2006.

I was a prosecutor for the NZLS for about six years, and I’ve acted for many lawyers facing complaints and disciplinary matters. So, I bring all this experience to bear, and it allows me to assist with governance. I also have a good feel for what practitioners need from a representative body.

I have been a member of TLANZ Public and Administrative Law committee for the past year. Members will be familiar with my occasional articles for LawNews. My law society governance, practice and life experience will enable me to contribute constructively to the work of TLANZ council.

If elected to council, what specific issues and growth strategies will you be advocating to enhance The Law Association’s offering to members and its reputation within the profession and among other members of the community?

Here are two ideas: first, I think we have a good CPD program, and I’d like to enhance that, but I’d also like to encourage people to have more face-to-face legal education because I think it’s more effective and brings in more collegiality.

I think collegiately has slipped in the profession and people are staying in their silos, their chambers, their firms or whatever clique they’re in. I would like to organise more regular collegiality events so practitioners can get together and make professional contact. Getting more socialising going and getting to rub shoulders with a broader range of lawyers can only be a good thing.

The second idea: I’d like the TLANZ friends’ panel to increase its focus on lawyers who are facing complaints or disciplinary issues to enable them to get confidential, professional advice about what to do in these situations. It would allow the lawyer to meet with someone on this panel with suitable experience to give some guidance.

NZLS also has a friends’ panel, but I think practitioners are a bit gun-shy because it is the regulator and there might be a fear of being reported if they say too much.

If someone is dealing with a complaint for the first time, they need to talk to someone and ask ‘what should I do? How’s it going to work out?’ I can tell you from experience, acting for lawyers in trouble, that it’s incredibly stressful and I think having somewhere for them to go and someone to bend an ear is a good idea.

Council meeting attendance: N/A

TLANZ Committees: Public & Administrative

LawNews Contributor: Yes

CPD Activities: Power of Judicial Review 05/03/24

What skills and experience do you bring to the table as a prospective member of The Law Association’s council?

I studied law at the University of Auckland in 2017 and I was admitted in 2021 at age 30. My legal journey so far spans litigation, academics, teaching and editorial leadership.

I think I could bring a unique blend of legal expertise, leadership and real-world experience to the council. Prior to my law career, I spent a decade working in senior management at global companies like Michael Hill International and LVMH. So, that has obviously honed my strategic thinking, leadership and project management skills which I can now apply to legal committee work.

I’m also the founder and director of two law-related companies, CulturalWise Limited and UniWise. I am the co-convenor of TLANZ’s Next Gen committee.

This diverse background enables me to approach challenges from multiple perspectives and advocate for meaningful, practical solutions for our members.

If elected to council, what specific issues and growth strategies will you be advocating to enhance The Law Association’s offering to members and its reputation within the profession and among other members of the community?

If elected, I will focus primarily on three key areas. The first involves supporting early-career lawyers.

As the co-convener of the Next Gen committee, supporting early career lawyers is what we are about. I have recent first-hand experience working with the Next Gen committee to support lawyers with fewer than seven years’ PQE, so I have a good idea about what we can do.

Younger lawyers are the future of the profession in New Zealand, so it’s vital that we give them as much assistance as we can to make sure they flourish and that the entire profession flourishes as a result.

The second strategy is embracing legal technology. With the recent advancement with AI, this is one of the key areas that’s going to have a dramatic effect on the legal profession, given the kind of work we do.

I would certainly advocate for members to stay ahead with more AI training resources to help them in all kinds of areas, such as litigation, discovery, case management and knowledge about the different types of AI software and how it works. All these initiatives, I think, will be vital.

My final strategy is to enhance access to justice. I sit on the Access to Justice Committee with the NZLS and I provide pro bono work with a community law centre.

Pro bono work is important, particularly in criminal law. With my business, CulturalWise, we’ve provided more than $80,000 worth of pro bono work for defendants facing sentencing after the government removed legal aid funding for s 27 reports. Any work that the council and The Law Association and its members can do to contribute to this, either through free legal education or pro bono work, will strengthen the profession’s role in our society.

Council meeting attendance: N/A

TLANZ Committees: NextGen Co-convenor

LawNews Contributor: Yes

CPD Activities: How to be a good Junior (12/02/25), Legal Success (scheduled for 22/05/25)

What skills and experience do you bring to the table as a prospective member of The Law Association’s council?

I have been heavily involved with The Law Association for the past five years, starting with my role in the Criminal Law Committee. I have worked to advance key issues affecting the profession, contributing to submissions, engaging in stakeholder meetings and advocating for improvements in the justice system.

During my two years on the council, I have maintained a strong attendance record and played an active role in promoting the association’s objectives. I am committed to upholding the rule of law, advocating for the interests of the legal profession, and fostering meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, including members of the judiciary and political figures.

My background in public law and law reform and my extensive criminal law experience means I can effectively navigate the challenges facing the profession.

I have been a vocal advocate for maintaining the independence and integrity of the legal profession, ensuring that our regulatory frameworks serve the interests of practitioners rather than ideological or bureaucratic agendas.

I think my ability to engage in constructive debate, challenge assumptions and offer solutions has been instrumental in shaping the association’s policy. I am also deeply committed to preserving a professional body that prioritises discipline, fairness and the genuine needs of its members over political trends.

If elected to council, what specific issues and growth strategies will you be advocating to enhance The Law Association’s offering to members and its reputation within the profession and among other members of the community?

The Law Association plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the legal profession remains independent, disciplined and dedicated to justice. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for these values.

Over the past two years, our membership has grown significantly, reflecting the demand for an independent professional body that prioritises practical concerns over ideological influence.

My key priorities for the next term include defending the independence of the profession and resisting regulatory overreach and efforts by NZLS to politicise legal governance.

I will also strengthen the advocacy and policy influence of The Law Association to counterbalance bureaucratic decision-making, along with building on existing CPD initiatives by advocating for more specialised, high-quality training that provides practical benefits for legal practitioners.

Recognising the link between professional success and well-being, I will push for increased resources in areas such as mental health, career development and business sustainability.

My vision is to solidify The Law Association as the leading representative body for lawyers who value professionalism, independence and excellence. By focusing on these priorities, we will ensure TLANZ remains an influential and respected voice within the profession.

What do you currently contribute to TLANZ outside of your council role?

As the convenor of the Public Law Committee, I work alongside leading legal minds to uphold fundamental legal principles. This committee is one of the most active in the association, ensuring our advocacy remains principled and impactful.

My key contributions include engaging with the Minister of Broadcasting on the Fair News Bargaining Bill, opposing Ministry of Justice proposals that would have weakened jury trial rights and upholding parliamentary sovereignty regarding the Treaty Principles Bill, while ensuring TLANZ remained neutral in the absence of a formal membership survey.

Beyond public law, I am also actively involved in the Criminal Law Committee, drafting submissions and presenting at select committees to protect fundamental rights and due process.

My broader involvement includes regularly meeting with the judiciary, court staff and government representatives to address inefficiencies and drive justice system improvements. I also write opinion pieces for LawNews, tackling critical legal issues to encourage informed debate within the profession.

I contribute to planning and presenting high-quality CBD seminars that provide practical insights for legal practitioners.

Discuss some key council initiatives you’ve been directly involved in.

One of the greatest highlights of my time on the council has been the formation of the Public and Administrative Law Committee.

Council meeting attendance: 100%

TLANZ Committees: Public & Administrative Convenor, Criminal, CPD

LawNews Contributor: Yes

CPD Activities: Efficiency Unleased (06/09/23), Traffic Law Updates (14/3/23), Sexual Violence Legislation (27/02/24), Women’s Right (06/03/24), Stress and litigation (21/11/24), How to be a good Junior – litigator (13/03/24)

What skills and experience do you bring to the table as a prospective member of The Law Association’s council?

I run a very busy civil litigation practice and am probably New Zealand’s leading insurance claimant lawyer. I’ve got more than 30 years’ experience in the law, which holds me in good stead to take on a governance role.

I was a founding graduate from the University of Waikato law school, and I worked in Te Awamutu when I was doing my law profs so I’ve had some good experience both in small general practice in a rural setting but also in Auckland at larger litigation firms. I’ve had some excellent overseas experience as well.

I’ve dealt with a broad range of clients from different backgrounds and one of the things I have developed in my career is a passion for representing the underdog. I like to stand up for the little guy. I like to stand up for people who have issues against big corporates. Often, I’m acting for clients who have disputes with entities such as banks and insurance companies and I’m not afraid to hold those larger entities accountable for the people.

I think this experience translates well to being on The Law Association council, because it gives me an insight into what your everyday member might be thinking or feeling.

I’m the kind of person that if I don’t agree with something, I’m not afraid to stand up and offer another perspective. I’m definitely not a yes person. And I think good governance, and especially in member organisations, needs representatives who are not afraid to stand their ground on issues which might be polarising. I’m not afraid to take up an unpopular opinion and hold the powers-that-be to account. I’m certainly no wallflower.

If elected to council, what specific issues and growth strategies will you be advocating to enhance The Law Association’s offering to members and its reputation within the profession and among other members of the community?

If I’m re-elected, I would like to focus on ensuring sustained growth of the organisation and ensuring there’s a steady influx of new members and taking care of and retaining existing ones. It’s a matter of keeping up with the times, always looking to improve and reflecting on things that might not have worked.

What do you currently contribute to TLANZ outside of your council role?

I like to stand up for the little guy, especially against insurance companies which subject them to the three Ds: delay, deny, defend. My practice includes class action litigation and building defect litigation. I’m a busy mum, so I understand the challenges of parenting and working as a lawyer and how hard it is to juggle a career while raising children.

Discuss some key council initiatives you’ve been directly involved in.

I’ve been involved in decisions about the move to the new premises and the decision to take on a lease, as opposed to owning the building. Another key aspect I was involved in was the name change from ADLS to The Law Association. And I’ve also been involved in agreeing budgets for new premises, plans to upgrade IT systems and plans to grow the assets of The Law Association.

Council meeting attendance: 60%

TLANZ Committees: Nil

LawNews Contributor: No

CPD Activities: Nil