Ōtautahi Christchurch Office
He rā anō ki tua! We are pleased to announce the opening of our office in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
The establishment of this office, alongside our existing office in Ōtepoti Dunedin, strengthens our presence in Te Waipounamu. Through this we hope to improve access to legal support and provide another welcoming point for whānau seeking guidance on Māori land matters, and the provision of Māori Land Education.
Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre ki Ōtautahi, located at 26 Southwark Street, Christchurch is staffed by two lawyers who are available to assist with any Māori Land Law enquiries you or your whānau may have.
Walk ins are welcome Monday to Friday between 10 am and 3 pm. If you would like to make an appointment, please phone 0800 626 745 or email info@ngaitahulaw.org.nz
Māori Land Law Education
The Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre provides free legal education to help individuals and whānau better understand Māori land law and the processes that relate to their whenua.
We know that Māori land law and Māori Land Court processes can sometimes be difficult to understand or know where to begin. Our legal education sessions are intended to make this information more accessible and give whānau a clearer understanding of the law and the processes that may affect their whenua.
We can provide education on a range of topics, including the Pataka Whenua, succession, ownership and interests in Māori land, trusts and governance, The Māori Land Court and other processes relating to the use and management of Māori land. Sessions can be tailored to what you want to learn, whether you are looking for a general introduction to Māori land law or want to better understand a particular topic or process.
Sessions that work for you:
Our legal education is flexible and can be provided in a way that works best for you and your whānau. This could include a one-on-one phone or online video call, an individual in-person session, a wider whānau hui, or a larger education session for a marae, hapū, rōpū or community organisation.
We are also happy to travel to deliver sessions kanohi ki te kanohi where appropriate, including sessions held at marae or within your own community. This service is available to anyone, not just those who whakapapa Ngai Tahu.
There is no need to have an existing understanding of Māori land law before getting in touch. We can start with the basics or tailor a session around the particular areas you and your whānau would like to understand better.
Our sessions are focused on legal education and general legal information rather than providing individual legal advice.
If you would like to arrange a session, or simply have a kōrero about what legal education might be useful for you, your whānau or your community, please contact:
2024
Kia ora koutou
We are grateful to our kaimahi, past and present who deliver a professional legal service for whanau and their Māori land matters. In 2024 one of our lawyers, Grace O'Hagan made a decision to move back to Wellington, closer to her family. Grace started with us in 2022 as a new graduate and very quickly learned the ropes, becoming a steady and competent Māori Land lawyer. Grace was always supportive and ready to mentor new lawyers, and serving her community at the same time. We will miss Grace in the office but we know that she will excel in her new job and continue to grow as a strong legal advocate.
2022 Pānui
Kia ora e te whānau!
It has been a while since we gave an update on the goings on at the Law Centre, and there is quite a bit to update you on.
Earlier this year the Law Centre bid farewell to our lease extraordinaire Paul, and our dear curly friend Louie who have headed over to warmer pastures in Australia. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and lots of laughs Paul!
Big congratulations to Caitlin and Grace for being admitted to the bar, levelling up from law clerks to lawyers. Both admissions were great days of celebration shared with whānau. Caitlin and Grace both spoke beautifully in their first addresses to the Court. The legal community is lucky to have them both and we are all excited to see what you do in your careers.
We also have some new members of the Ngāi Tahu Maori Law Centre whānau to welcome. This year we have taken on some awesome part time staff – James, Larissa, and Henry. Check out our tangata profiles to get to know them a bit better.
Last but not least, Shelley Kapua-Tarpey is joining us part time until the end of 2022, at which point she will take over from Joy as Manager. It is hard to imagine the Law Centre without Joy, but we know it will be in good hands with Shelley!
Welcome Grace and Caitlin
Kia ora e te whānau,
Nau mai haere mai to Caitlin Smith and Grace O’Hagan, our two new law clerks on the scene at the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre. Both have law degrees from Otago University and are working towards completing their Professionals later this year.
Caitlin has a strong research background, having worked as a Research Assistant for the Otago Law Faculty before joining us. She has volunteered for a number of community organisations, including Community Law Otago, Pride in Law Otago, and Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse.
Grace completed a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Development alongside her law degree. Similar to Caitlin, Grace has spent time volunteering for various community organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Law Otago and Law for Change.
We are thrilled to have these two new kaimahi on the team, who have a clear drive to promote access to justice and to help clients achieve their goals with whenua Māori.
Farewell to Jessie
Kia ora koutou,
Ngā mihi o te tau hou! We hope that you had a great holiday season.
We begin this year with a farewell. At the end of 2021 we said goodbye to our powerhouse lawyer Jessie Paterson. Jessie joined the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre as a volunteer in 2017, starting a law clerk role after graduating from Otago University, and quickly became a proficient lawyer. Jessie took on some highly challenging and complex files as a young lawyer, and was able to handle these with impressive skill and professionalism. She provided high quality service on a wide range of Māori land law issues, and developed strong whanaungatanga with her clients. We will miss her, and wish her all the best in her next chapter at Aspiring Law.
COVID-19 PĀNUI: TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM
Wanting to make an appointment with us? Here is some information of how things are running under the Covid traffic light system.
The Law Centre welcomes all visitors into our office – whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. However, we have a few guidelines in place to keep everyone safe.
For all visitors:
- Please make an appointment before coming in.
- Sign in using the Covid QR scanner or physical sheet in reception.
- Mask wearing is encouraged but not mandatory.
- Sanitiser is available for anyone who wants to use it.
Additional info:
- Vaccinated visitors can enter all areas of our office subject to staff approval.
- Unvaccinated visitors must stay in public office areas: reception + hui room + toilets. Staff will wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Farewell to Kate
On Friday 22 October, we bid farewell our wonderful lawyer Kate. Kate has moved on to local firm Downie Stewart, where she is working primarily in the trusts space.
Kate achieved a lot in her five years at the Law Centre despite only being part-time. Kate assisted clients on a range of different issues including some of the most difficult applications you can file in the Māori Land Court. She was also highly engaged in various groups/organisations: she was a member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, committee member of the Otago Women Lawyers Society, a qualified mediator, and student at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Kate was always looking for new ways to add to her kete (basket) and her enthusiasm will be sorely missed. We take this opportunity to thank Kate for her commitment to the Law Centre over the years and wish her all the very best in her new role. Thankfully, Kate is still local and only a phone call away.
Mā te kimi ka kite, mā te kite ka mōhio, mā te mōhio ka mārama – seek and discover, discover and know, know and become enlightened
