Background
Ko Ngāti Raukawa tōku iwi.
I’ve worked with Māori and non-Māori organisations and individuals to help solve legal and other problems for more than 20 years. I’m mindful that the process of finding a solution is just as important as the outcome if any way forward is to be lasting.
I’ve previously worked for large commercial law firms. Since 2013 I’ve practiced on my own to provide tailor-made services. I am qualified as both a lawyer and a mediator, and work throughout New Zealand/Aotearoa.
Qualifications
- Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand;
- Professional Member of the Resolution Institute;
- Associate Member of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ);
- Qualified as an RMA hearings commissioner;
- LLB (Otago); MSc (Massey); BSc (Otago).
Examples of past work
My previous work has included:
- Assisted with Treaty of Waitangi settlements for a number of iwi – including Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Heretaunga Tamatea, and Ngāti Manawa;
- Advised on the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of post-settlement governance structures for iwi;
- Undertaken reviews, and assisted with restructuring, of iwi organisations;
- Provided advice on a range of natural resource issues – including fisheries, aquaculture, reserve lands and conservation, foreshore and seabed, and water and waterways;
- Advised on the development of co-management arrangements for the Waikato River;
- Advised overlapping claimant groups on legal personality for the Whanganui River and Te Urewera;
- Participated, in a number of roles, in a wide range of alternative dispute resolution processes. This has included tikanga based dispute resolution processes;
- Mediated disputes referred by the Māori Land Court;
- Mediated disputes between Māori and non-Māori parties where application of tikanga has been an important element of dispute;
- Authorised as a mediator under the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme;
- Appeared in the Waitangi Tribunal in relation to historical inquiries, urgency applications, and remedies hearing.
Media and publications
- The Spinoff – Whose law is it anyway?
- Maori Law Review articles;
- Pundit – Accountability in Māori organisations
- Pundit – Why can’t we all just get along?
- Pundit – It’s easy to be friends with one who shares the same opinions
- Pundit – if you take care of your character your reputation will take care of itself
- Pundit – Thoughts from the criminal justice summit
- Pundit – You’re not the boss of me now
- Pundit – Missing the point of Te Reo Māori
- Chapter in Treaty of Waitangi Settlements (Wheen & Hayward eds).