Tangata People

Joy Smith - kaihautū / manager

Joy has worked within the Māori Community in administrative and managerial roles for nearly 30 years. Prior to managing the law centre, Joy was the manager at Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki; her skills and experience gained from this role transferred and enriched the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre when she joined our team in 2006.  Joy enjoys assisting whānau with their enquiries especially those at grass root level. Joy currently serves on the boards of Aukaha and A3K. Joy is stationed at the reception desk that manages not only the law centre, but Aukaha, A3K, Deglitch IT, Cosy Homes Trust and Te Puni Kōkiri. Interaction with staff and clients of the other organisations we co-house with are another facet of the role that Joy enjoys. Joy’s extensive knowledge of the Dunedin Māori Community and all it has to offer is of immense value to all who walk through our doors.

Outside of work Joy enjoys travelling internationally and various types of hand work.

Florence Dean - rōia / lawyer

Florence started volunteering for the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre in her final her of university. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2019, and began working at the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre soon after. At university Florence placed a strong focus on the relationship between Māori and the law, and Tikanga Māori which drew her to the role at the Centre. Florence is passionate about social justice and has volunteered with the Red Cross and environmental, animal rights, and mental-health related student groups. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology.

Outside of work, Florence enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee, tramping, surfing, art, writing, and spending time with friends and whānau.

Grace O'Hagan - rōia / lawyer

Grace started with the Law Centre at the beginning of 2022, after completing her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Development. She spent a lot of time at university looking at the relationship between Tikanga and Te Ao Māori and the legal system, as well as working on her Te Reo abilities. Grace is also passionate about giving back to the community and spent time volunteering for various organisations during her studies, such at Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Law and Law for Change. In this role, Grace hopes to assist people in understanding and utilising the Māori land law system.

Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with friends and whānau, cooking, sewing and getting out into nature.

Caitlin Smith - rōia / lawyer

Caitlin began working at the Law Centre at the beginning of 2022. Prior to joining the Centre, Caitlin worked as a Research Assistant for the Otago Law Faculty and the Critical Disability Studies Research Network. While studying Law and English, Caitlin volunteered at Community Law Otago, worked for Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse, and served on the 2020 executive of Pride in Law Otago. She is passionate about Justice in all forms, loves Ōtepoti dearly, and feels incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to work with clients and their whenua.  

Caitlin enjoys live music, making things, tramping, heritage, literature and keeping up with loved ones.

Henry Francis - rōia / lawyer

Henry began working for the law centre in June 2022. He completed degrees in law and politics at University of Otago in 2017 and has since spent time working in the disability sector and music industry as a touring musician. He has a keen interest in human rights law and ensuring that justice is accessible to all people. In his role with the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre, Henry is excited to advocate for people with Māori land interests and to help to empower them to have positive interactions with the Māori land law system. Outside of work, Henry enjoys spending time with whānau and the Ōtepoti community, cooking, reading, and exploring the Otago Peninsula.

Larissa Hinds - law clerk / kaimahi ture

Larissa joined the Law Centre as a Law Clerk in July 2022, holding a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Language which Larissa achieved in 2018. She has spent recent years working and volunteering in community education and development; and has contributed to community art projects such as Shared Lines: Pūtahitanga, which exhibited in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and Te Ngākau Civic Square in Wellington. Larissa is passionate about the health of our environment, and is currently completing a Masters degree at the University of Otago.

Volunteers / Tūao

We also have senior law students from the University of Otago Law Faculty who volunteer with us. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering your time.