MC

MC was proud to be a sponsor of the recent annual AUT Law Awards (autlawschool). E mihi ana ki ngā tauira ture o Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau i eke ki ngā taumata tiketike, ā, i whakawhiwhia ki ngā taonga hei tohu i ērā ekenga ki te pō whakanui i ngā wiki kua hori. Congratulations to all of the AUT Law School students whose achievements and excellence were recognised and celebrated at the awards!

MC’s Matthew Nathan presented the awards for the "Meredith Connell Top All Around Māori Law Student" for a graduating student to Gloria Rapoto. Matt also presented the "Meredith Connell Award for the Top Student in Criminal Law" to Spencer Wells. E mihi nui ana ki a kōrua tahi.

We would also like to do a shout out to MC Law Clerk Jo Mason who won both a Dean’s List award for the 2023 study year for Employment Law and the SBM Legal Award for Employment Law; to MC intern Kiani Bullivant who won both a Dean's List Award and a Law School Award for Advanced Private Law; and to MC intern Caitlin Walker who won three Dean’s List awards for the 2023 study year, topping the Law of Evidence, Problems in Patent Law and Research Paper.

He hōnore nui nō mātou o MC i whai wāhi atu ki te pō whakanui i ngā wiki kua hori nei, tahi me a koutou whānau me a koutou hoa katoa. We were honoured to be a part of the celebration of your incredible mahi and acknowledge the support of your whānau and friends.

AUT - Auckland University of Technology

Last week’s MC London Alumni gathering was a fantastic evening - it was wonderful to reconnect with so many familiar faces, share plenty of laughs, and hear about all the exciting things everyone has been up to.

Jacob Barry, our visiting Regulatory Partner, hosted the event and provided the latest updates from Aotearoa New Zealand. “I loved catching up with everyone's news and can't wait to see them back at MC one day."

Kia ora to all our alumni around the globe from everyone here at MC in Aotearoa. Ka kite anō!

Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) 2024 SuperLocal conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington this week!

The Meredith Connell team heading to the conference includes Simon Rickit, Danae Weston, Steve Symon, Brandon Watts, Jayne Wiltshire, and Cordelia Woodhouse.

MC is proud to be a sponsor of SuperLocal 2024. This year, the focus is localism - harnessing the power, knowledge, skills and lived experiences, and moving decisions and delivery closer to communities via councils. The conference brings leaders and decision-makers together to tackle the most important challenges facing communities.

We’ll see you at the conference and of course at the Meredith Connell Networking Function - the official social event on Thursday evening.

Congratulations! Ngā mihi nui ki a Debbie Power kōrua ko Carolyn Tremain for being the joint winners of the Meredith Connell Public Sector Leadership Award.

Mark Davies from MC, together with Conrad Smith, presented Debbie and Carolyn with their awards at the New Zealand Leadership Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

The judges recognised Debbie Power for demonstrating outstanding leadership as Chief Executive at the Ministry of Social Development NZ, driving positive transformation and improving outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand's vulnerable populations. Her strategic oversight led to the Social Wellbeing Strategy, addressing issues like poverty and homelessness, resulting in more targeted aid. Debbie championed the use of technology and data through the Digital First initiative, enhancing service accessibility and operational efficiency. Her commitment to stakeholder engagement and the establishment of the Community Partnerships Fund have strengthened relationships and provided tailored support to those in need.

Carolyn Tremain, Chief Executive at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, was recognised by the judges for being pivotal in shaping MBIE's strategic direction, fostering innovation and excellence. She led the "Industry Transformation Plans" for sectors like agritech and construction, promoting collaboration and economic growth. Carolyn's modernisation initiatives and the "Better for Business" program have enhanced service delivery and reduced compliance costs for businesses. Her inclusive leadership and commitment to stakeholder engagement, particularly through the "Māori Economic Development Strategy," have significantly advanced MBIE's mission and Aotearoa New Zealand's economic development.

Finally, a big mihi to the winners and the finalists across all award categories, we enjoyed being a part of acknowledging the amazing work you do!

, Robert Walters

An amazing evening at the On Being Bold event, where we heard inspiring stories from three remarkable women - Catherine Meerkerk, Frances Valintine CNZM and MC Partner Royal Reed. They shared their journeys, challenges and successes, reminding us all of the power of connection and the importance of women lifting each other up.

The night was filled with networking, meaningful conversations, and a strong sense of community. Thank you to the bold women who inspire us to keep pushing boundaries and supporting one another.

@
Hosted by

MC Partner William Fotherby and colleague Dino Muratbegovic, have authored the chapter on the power to appoint receivers to a trust for asset-recovery purposes in this year's ICC FraudNet Global Annual Report.

Offering insights from the world's top fraud and asset recovery lawyers, this year's global report theme “Fraud Frontiers: Emerging Threats and Innovative Solutions in Fraud and Asset Recovery” builds on the foundation of previous reports from the network.

Read the full report here: https://iccfraudnet.org/insights/

We were proud to work with the UoA Korean Law Students Association in hosting and supporting their first Korean Women Lawyers & Law Students Panel.

Thank you again to all of the great panellists Monica Moon, Louise Hwang, Erin Moon, Catharina Chung, Elizabeth Kim, Tina Hwang and to Seheun Hong for facilitating this important kaupapa.

It was MC's pleasure to host AUT Te Aro Ture's annual Māori Legal Issues Moot. E mihi nui ana ki a Arabela Boatwright i wikitōria i te whakataetae, ā, e waha ana i a AUT ki ngā whakataetae-ā-motu!

Congratulations to Arabela Boatwright who won the competition and is representing AUT at nationals!

The tauira were hosted by MC's Natanahira Herewini (Nay) and Rewa Kendall, who were both thoroughly impressed by all the tauira and their compelling arguments.

We'd also like to recognise participant Te Maioha Paniora-Hepi, who crafted her written submissions in both te reo Māori and English, and delivered her oral submissions in te reo.

And Kiani Bullivant who appeared as sole counsel for the respondents. Although Kiani did not formally enter and kindly filled in with only a couple of days’ notice, Nay and Rewa were both extremely impressed with her written work and presentation.

As the winner, Arabela will now go on to represent AUT at the upcoming Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (The Māori Law Society) Hui-ā-Tau in Whakatāne in September. Kei te kaiwhāo i ngā kupu o te ture, whāia kia ita, whāia kia mau rawa!


AUT - Auckland University of Technology
AUT Law School
AUT Mooting Society

Last chance to enter - Rainbow Moot registrations close tomorrow!

Organised by MC’s staff-led Rainbow Alliance group, the moot is open to all law students from University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

To register for MC's second annual Rainbow Mooting competition, simply email [email protected] with your name and contact details.

The competition will take place in MC’s bespoke courtroom, debating a moot problem that aims to raise awareness of a pertinent LGBTQI+ issue.

In addition to the Moot itself, it is also a great networking opportunity.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in participating in this moot, please feel free to register. Cash prizes are available for finalist teams.

• Registrations close and problem released: Friday 2 August, 5pm
• Submissions due: Thursday 5 September, 5pm
• Preliminary rounds: Tuesday 10 & Thursday 12 September
• Semi finals: Monday 16 September
• Finals: Thursday 19 September

Nō MC te māringanui i whai wāhi mātou ki ngā tauira o Te Rākau Ture me ngā kōrero awheawhe (moot) i roto i tō mātou kōti whakangungu.

It was our pleasure this week to welcome tauira (students) from the University of Auckland Māori Law Students Association: Te Rākau Ture for a mooting workshop and practical session.

The tauira were hosted by MC's Matthew Nathan, Wiremu Te Hiko and Shanayla Barrett, who loved everyone's engagement and enthusiasm. For some tauira it was their first mooting experience, they all embraced the challenge and had a go at presenting their arguments, which were extremely compelling!

Ka rere ngā mihi ki ngā tauira o Te Rākau Ture. Kei runga noa atu koutou!

Congratulations to the Victoria Debating Society on your 125th anniversary! We were very proud to sponsor your celebrations and support such a fantastic evening of talented debate and sharing of memories.

Well done to the committee for bringing the whole event together, with a special shout out to current President Emma Hardy for all her hard work!

Congratulations Zara McLeod and Hope Louie, for being admitted to the bar!

Adding an MC touch to this important milestone, Zara and Hope had MC Partners Robin McCoubrey and Brett Tantrum as moving counsel.

It was a special evening of celebration with your whānau and friends, and we are excited for you both to enter the next stage of your legal careers here at MC!

Ngā mihi nui ki a kōrua, otirā ki ō kōrua whānau.

MC is excited to announce our second annual Rainbow Mooting competition.

Organised by MC’s staff-led Rainbow Alliance group, the moot is open to all law students from The University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

The competition will take place in MC’s bespoke courtroom, debating a moot problem that aims to raise awareness of a pertinent LGBTQI+ issue.

In addition to the Moot itself, it is also a great networking opportunity.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in participating in this moot, please feel free to register. Cash prizes are available for finalist teams.

• Registrations open: now!
• Registrations close and problem released: Friday 2 August, 5pm
• Submissions due: Thursday 5 September, 5pm
• Preliminary rounds: Tuesday 10 & Thursday 12 September
• Semi finals: Monday 16 September
• Finals: Thursday 19 September

To register your interest, please simply email: [email protected] with your name and contact details.

MC is proud to be supporting this important kaupapa through hosting the Auckland Women Lawyers' Association "Understanding Menopause Workshop" with Robyn Fausett.

This is a life stage that impacts everyone, not just those going through it! Menopause can have a huge impact personally, to organisations, to professions, and to the economy. Let’s help break the stigma and make our workplaces more supportive.

Go the AWLA website to register: https://awla.org.nz/understanding-menopause-workshop/

Our 2024 Winter Interns have arrived!

We welcomed them to our Auckland and Wellington offices with a mihi whakatau to start off their journey at MC.

It was lovely to meet some of their whānau who came along, and we look forward to getting to know our interns more over the next few weeks as they head into teams around the firm. They’ve also arrived just in time to come along to our MC Quiz Night on Friday!

Interning at MC is a unique opportunity to learn from the best at Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest litigation firm.

MC is proud to announce our new Partners, Special Counsel and Senior Associates. Big congratulations from all of us at MC!

Ko te rahi o MC e mihi nui ana ki a koutou kua eke ki ngā taumata hou i te rangi nei. Ki ngā Hoa Rangapū, te Rōia Kiritata me ngā Rōia Whakarāe Matua hou, tēnā koutou katoa.

These are in addition to our ten new Associates announced last week. All of these appointments build on a sustained period of investment in strategic growth and talent development.

“Our latest promotions represent our investment in ambitious growth and our development of a pipeline of diverse lawyers,” said Mark Harborow, Chair of the Management Board. "We congratulate them all on this significant milestone which they’ve achieved through their expertise, hard work and an unwavering commitment to our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.”

Partners*
Jack Cheng is a renowned immigration expert who has successfully assisted hundreds of immigration clients, including on complicated matters involving significant financial, character, health or humanitarian issues. He is a member of The Law Association Immigration & Refugee Law Committee.

David Collins will lead MC’s local government practice, utilising his 17 years’ experience across a wide range of local government and regulatory work in Aotearoa and the UK. David is known for his efficient and pragmatic advice to MC’s local government clients throughout the country.

Danielle Houghton is an experienced litigator in the criminal and civil jurisdictions. Deeply trusted and respected by clients for her skill and advice, she has particular expertise in regulatory matters including complex fair trading and competition cases.

Andy Luck is a seasoned and skilled commercial and regulatory litigator with particular expertise in financial markets law, credit finance and consumer law. He advises both government and private sector clients involved in some of Aotearoa’s largest and most complex commercial disputes.

Elizabeth Rutherford is an expert in commercial, competition and public law, who has a reputation for navigating complicated issues to deliver solutions to both private-sector and government clients. She has acted on some of Aotearoa’s most complex disputes and led criminal prosecutions.

Special Counsel - Danielle Christoffersen is a specialist in asset structuring and a wide range of property matters. Her advice and experience working in both Aotearoa and Australia is highly regarded by her clients across both the public and private sector.

Congratulations also to our newest Senior Associates:
- Alexander Mackenzie
- Anna Manuson
- Dennis Dow
- Rebecca Gibbs
- Rebekah Thompson
- Sarah Murphy

The promotions take effect on 1 July 2024.
*All new partners are subject to meeting all NZ Law Society requirements.

Tērā te tahatū o te Rangi, ka rere a Matariki, he tohu o te tauhou Māori.

Ko te here o whakaaro ki a rātou kua kohia e te Kupenga a Tara Mai Nuku, kua hāoa ki runga o te Waka o Rangi, e whanga nei kia ruia ki te kōmata o te rangi, kia eke te kōrero kua whetūrangihia koutou.

Ko te pō ki a rātou, ko te ao ki a tātou.

Ko te here o te arohā e whakakāo nei i tēnā me tēna o tātou. Ka rewa a Matariki, ka wera te hinu, ka rere te korokoro. Hokia o kāinga, hei whakahoki mahara, hei whakakotahi tāngata, hei whakanui i a Matariki heri kai e.

Matariki Ahunga Nui, Matariki paihere tangata, Matariki Tohu i te Tauhou Māori e.

As we look to the horizon, we see Matariki rising, beaconing the approach of the Māori New Year.

In this time we acknowledge those no longer with us, who’ve been collected by the Net of Tara Mai Nuku, hauled aboard Te Waka o Rangi, and are waiting to be scattered as stars across the sky.

This is also a time we are brought together to eat and the korokoro migrates. It’s a time to return to our homes and celebrate the Māori New Year with loved ones and reminisce on the year that has been.

Matariki’s great feasting piles, Matariki the congregator of people, Matariki a symbol of the Māori New Year.

Some exciting news to share - we are delighted to announce the promotion of ten outstanding members of our team to the role of Associate.

Ko te rahi o MC e mihi nui ana ki a koutou kua eke ki te taumata o te Rōia Whakarae! Big congratulations from everyone at MC to you all on your promotions!

- Alec Dawson
- Campbell Hodgson
- Conrad Purdon
- Georgia Gamboni
- Harry Bell
- Jennie Yao
- Kayla Grant
- Mark Tan
- Pip McNabb
- Ryan Benic

It was great to again host the amazing tauira from Rangahautira at our MC tari ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, to provide a study space as they prepare for their upcoming exams. Rōpu such as Ngā Rangahautira strive to nurture a future profession which is reflective of our community, and it is important that we invest in and support that kaupapa. Ngā Rangahautira also recently presented to the Environment Select Committee, which is a testament to the mahi these tauira are putting in. Tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou me koutou mahi nui!

Congratulations to this year’s ten high school students who are the recipients of Te Kuhunga scholarships – a programme to help shape ngā rōia o āpōpō, Aotearoa New Zealand’s future lawyers.

Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann and Auckland’s Crown Solicitor Alysha McClintock acknowledged the students’ achievements and presented their scholarships at the special event at MC, where the scholars were supported by their whānau, friends, MC staff and partners, and dedicated sponsors of the programme.

Our 2024 Te Kuhunga scholarship recipients are:
- Eirene Pulepule (Kelston Girls’ College)
- Jenanie Udugalge (Avondale College)
- Seth McCarthy (St Paul’s College)
- Marcus Wilson (Avondale College)
- Safa Nazari (Auckland Girls’ Grammar)
- Anna Ly (Lynfield College)
- Chloe Crosbie (Edgewater College)
- To’afa Laurenson (Auckland Girls’ Grammar)
- Esther Sovincet (Selwyn College)
- Asmara Farnhan (Mount Roskill Grammar)

Te Kuhunga was inspired by the Chief Justice’s calls to support greater diversity within the profession and judiciary so that it becomes representative of all New Zealanders. The programme is built to provide support for senior secondary students, from schools which have historically been under-represented at law school and in the legal profession, to study Law at university through school visits, open days, financial support, study groups and one-on-one mentoring.

Now in its 5th year, Te Kuhunga was formed by MC, Auckland University of Technology and The University of Auckland, with generous support also from Stephen Hunter KC, Brian Dickey, Matthew Harris, and Gilbert Walker.

Ka nui te mihi ki ngā tauira me ā koutou whānau. E tika ana te kōrero, ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamāua kia tina.

A big mihi to all students and their whānau. We celebrate your achievements to date and look forward to those that are on the horizon.

Congratulations to Adine Wilson from all of us at MC, on being a recipient of a King’s Birthday Honour and becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for your services to Netball in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is an amazing achievement, and we are all so very proud of you!

Adine is probably best known for her exceptional performance on the netball court, as a Silver Fern netball international from 1999-2007, and as part of the world champion NZ team in 2003, before leading the Ferns to Commonwealth Games gold at Melbourne in 2006.

But after retiring from international play in 2007, following 79 test appearances, Adine continued to serve the sport in governance roles on both the boards of Auckland Netball and the New Zealand Netball Players Association (NZNPA). The work of the NZNPA resulted in netballers having a collective voice as the sport headed into the semi-professional era. She served as chair and interim executive manager, helping guide the transition into a semi-professional era.

"Once upon a time, some players only got $500 and the year after we got the association together, they got a minimum of $15,000. Being able to galvanise everybody to come together and have a voice was pretty special."

Both an athlete mentor with the Tania Dalton Foundation since 2018, and a current trustee, the organisation supports young women in sport through a range of programmes. “It's something my family instilled in me - when you play sport, you give back,” says Adine.

Last week Adine was also announced as a board member of the newly established Integrity in Sport and Recreation Commission. "It's really ensuring participants and their organisations are setting up the right policies and putting things in place, so everyone gets a fair shot at it. It's exciting."

An Associate at Meredith Connell, Adine is a founding member of our Sports Law practice, bringing a unique perspective as a former athlete, a deep knowledge of athlete rights and welfare, and specialising in the governance and commercial space.

We are so excited to see Adine’s contribution to netball and the wider sporting environment in Aotearoa New Zealand formally recognised. Ka rawe, e hoa!

Congratulations to MC’s newest lawyers who were admitted on Friday! Rosemary Hayden, Wiremu Te Hiko (Ngāti Tuwharetoa and Ngāti Raukawa) and Shanayla Barrett (Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Pikiao), it was very special to celebrate this important milestone with you and your whānau. We’re proud to have you in the team at MC as you enter the next stage of your legal careers. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou, otirā ki ō koutou whānau!

It was our absolute pleasure to recently sponsor and host the University of Auckland Mooting Society's Law & Technology Finals in our training courtroom in the MC Centre.

Congratulations to the winners Jimin Seo and Daniel Tran! And to their worthy competitors in the finals Georgia Hughey and David Bates.

We join the University of Auckland Mooting Society in acknowledging and thanking the judges for their time, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou - Dr Joshua Yuvaraj, Mark Henaghan and our very own Philip Shackleton.

MC is proud to support the New Zealand Women's Law Journal - Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a ngā Wāhine. It was our pleasure to host the launch of the latest edition of the journal in both Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Congratulations to co-editors Erica Burke and Ellen Lellman and the whole team on this year's release of the journal!

Congratulations! Ngā mihi nui ki a Ria Earp (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) for winning the Public Service Award at the recent Wellingtonian of the Year Awards, aka “The Wellys”.

Simon Rickit and Danae Weston, from MC, presented Ria with the award which recognises her huge contribution to the health sector for more than 20 years, particularly her work in hospice care, health governance and Māori community development. E te rangatira, e Ria, ka nui te mihi ki a koe i tāu mahi.

MC is a proud sponsor of the Public Service Award.

We’d also like to acknowledge the other finalists in the category for their outstanding work – Lotta Dann for her work as an addiction recovery advocate and her work partnering with the NZ Drug Foundation to launch community website Living Sober; Handunnethi “Kolitha” De Silva a GP for more than 25 years, who goes above and beyond for his senior patients; and Russell Postlewaight MNZM who has spent 51 years as a firefighter, fire investigator, effective community communicator for FENZ especially working with lower socio-economic areas on fire safety.

Nithya and Rangi’s journeys piqued your interest? Only a few days left to apply to MC’s unique Winter Intern programme. Don’t miss out! Apply now https://www.mc.co.nz/recruitment/winter-interns/

Interning at MC means you have access to extensive learning opportunities.

Rangi Cowley, from the cohort of MC's 2021 Winter Interns, is drawn to the unique in-house training offerings. "I would consider MC's extensive and ongoing training to be industry leading, with comprehensive sessions on personal brand, voice training, tikanga me reo Māori , trial skills, and more."

Programmes like this only further MC's culture, which Rangi particularly highlights, now working as a Solicitor. "MC has a dual personality of culture that is both professional, competent, and high-performing, while also being casual, approachable and people-orientated. People make the culture, and MC has an exceptional one because of our people."

Rangi previously studied te reo Māori at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, amidst juggling profs.

Applications for MC's Winter Intern programme are open until 8 April 2024. Apply now! https://mc.co.nz/recruitment/winter-interns/

Interning at MC could be the start of your litigation journey.

Nithya Narayanan, one of MC’s 2021 Winter Interns, says that the high-level of trust placed in junior lawyers at MC to do solo appearances at court so quickly is rare. Now a Solicitor, she has found that some weeks she’s in court regularly. “The learning curve is steep but the work is always rewarding. Getting into court isn’t just a great pathway for those wanting to pursue a career in advocacy, but also a fantastic way to develop self-confidence and good communication.” Nithya also highlights the level of support provided to juniors as particularly valuable. “I know there is always a partner or other senior member of the team available to be a sounding board.”

Alongside being a lawyer, Nithya enjoys creative writing and is an award-winning poet, with her work ‘Hiroshima’ being named one of the 25 Best New Zealand Poems for 2019.

Applications for MC's Winter Intern programme are open until 8 April. Apply now! https://www.mc.co.nz/recruitment/winter-interns/

Congratulations to MC’s newest lawyer Lauren Argyle on her admission in Wellington last Friday. It was very special to celebrate this important milestone with you alongside whānau and friends. We’re excited for the next stage of your legal career at MC. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou ko tō whānau, Lauren!

MC is excited to host our first ever Rainbow Mooting competition.

Organised by MC’s staff-led Rainbow Alliance, you’ll compete in MC’s bespoke courtroom debating a moot problem that aims to raise awareness of a pertinent LGBTQI+ issue.

The moot is open to all UofA and AUT Law Students and cash prizes are available for finalist teams.

Registrations close and problem released: 5pm 15 September
Submissions due: 5pm 2 October
Preliminary rounds: 4 October
Finals: 9 October

To register your interest, email [email protected]