Last Thursday, AWLA held its annual President’s Function at MC with High Court Judge, Her Honour Justice Kiri Tahana.
Each year AWLA invites the most recently appointed female Auckland High Court Judge to speak to our members about their career and path to the bench.
Justice Tahana was sworn in at Te Waiiti Marae in Rotoiti in May 2022, being the second Māori woman to be appointed judge of the High Court. Justice Tahana candidly shared her journey from Victoria University to a number of placements around the world, (including Sydney, London and the UAE) before heading back to New Zealand and joining the partnership of Kāhui Legal in Rotorua from 2017 to 2022.
Justice Tahana’s spoke of her deep connection to her whakapapa, and her strong sense of duty to give back and serve the community. Our members were delighted to gain a sense of Justice Tahana’s sense of adventure, and courage to take opportunities as they arose. It is clear that Justice Tahana brings a unique perspective to the bench, which has been enriched with both her blended Māori and Pakeha upbringing and the values of the different cultures she embraced around the world.
AWLA thanks Justice Tahana for sharing her journey and her stories with us.
Thank you to MC
