Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, Ngāti Toa Rangatira

I’m a specialist Family Law Barrister. My practice involves all care of children and separation matters, including Oranga Tamariki. I also practice in Māori Land Law and have experience in the Criminal Courts. I am a Counsel to Assist the Court for the Family, Māori Land and Coronial Courts. I am also a Court appointed Lawyer for Child. I am also a provider of legal aid services for Family Law (excluding relationship property).

Experience

I am a graduate of the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington. I was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in 2013.

I have worked as a lawyer for a large post settlement iwi governance entity, in the public service and private practice and have practiced both in Wellington and Christchurch. I am also an instructor at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.

I have experience as a consultant and have held contracts providing policy and strategic advice to both the public and private sector. I have written a number of cultural reports for the criminal courts and been involved in various justice reform projects.

I am a trained mediator, and collaborative law practitioner.

I have a broad range of experiences that can help successfully assist whānau navigate the justice system during some of the most challenging times of their lives.

Contributions

Outside my client work, I have been involved in a number of organisations including as past president (Tumuaki) of Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa, the Māori Law Society.

I have also served on a number of advisory groups including the New Zealand Law Commission Māori Liaison Committee.

I was on the legal assistance panel providing independent legal advice to survivors participating in the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. I am currently a Kaitakawaenga for the Survivor Experiences Service.

I am a Board Governor for St. Andrew’s College. This role is voluntary.

I am a regular guest speaker and presenter at various events around Aotearoa relating to law reform. I am also a regular guest lecturer for the University of Canterbury Law School.

Instructions

I can take direct instructions on most matters however, for relationship property matters, I may need to be instructed by a solicitor.