Founded in 2006

An unusual journey to here.

I was born in Canada as my parents were working there. They came back to New Zealand with me when I started school on the North Shore in Auckland.

I graduated with degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Auckland.

At the time I graduated I was a full time fashion designer and had just presented my debut runway show at New Zealand Fashion Week. I didn't expect to ever practice law. One of my fashion clients was a prominent Barrister (Peter Boylan) and he pushed me into a making an appearance with him. After that I was hooked.

I was incredibly fortunate to be accepted to work at Manukau District Court as a Duty Lawyer in early 2007. Within a few months I was signed on 6 days a week and under the tutelage of some of the most diligent lawyers in practice.

I started taking legal aid cases in 2008 and within a year had the largest criminal practice in New Zealand by case load. At one point 25% of everyone arrested in South Auckland for a serious offence requested me as their lawyer.

I was heavily involved in the community, in particular sports. I was the founding sponsor of a Tongan Rugby League team that won the Auckland competition. One of our players progressed to play professionally for the Warriors. I was a major sponsor of the Mangere East Hawks and in my final year they were elevated to the premier league competition.

After several years working 100 hour weeks I took a sabbatical and decided to travel to every country in the world. I worked remotely along the way and returned to New Zealand every 6 weeks to attend to Court appearances. It took 7 years to complete that journey and as of July 2023 I’ve visited 246 countries and territories.

Along the way I founded the first app for kids to teach kids about the world. I partnered with the largest schools organisation in the world, learn.org, in over 20 countries. The program won multiple awards and recognition from the UN and is freely available at www.touchableearth.org

When I’m not lawyering I enjoy free diving and underwater photography.