Timeline of AWLA’s history
This history project is dedicated to the determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the trailblazing women lawyers who have broken barriers and paved the way for a more equitable profession, creating lasting change for future generations.
We would love to hear from you if you can contribute to this record of AWLA’s history. We intend for this timeline to be a living document, if you have any updates, amendments, or stories to share, please get in touch by emailing admin@awla.nz.
Pre 1984
1977
1984
President: Helen Melrose | Vice-President: Hon. Margaret Wilson DCNZM1984
1985
President: Helen Melrose | Vice-President: Christine Nolan1985
1986
President: Shayne Mathieson1987
President: Shayne Mathieson1987
1988
President: Phillipa Muir | Vice-President: Tricia Fordyce1989
President: Phillipa Muir1990
President: Phillipa Muir1990
1991
President: Denese Bates KC1992
President: Denese Bates KC1993
President: Denese Bates KC | Vice-President: Prue Crossan1994
President: Hon. Judge Kate Davenport KC1995
President: Hon. Judge Kate Davenport KC1996
President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken | Vice-President: Helen Rice1997
President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken1998
President: Hon. Judge Ema Aitken | Vice-President: Usha Patel1999
President: Cathy Rodgers2000
President: Alex McDonald | Vice-President: Treasa Dunworth2001
President: Alex McDonald | Vice-President: Vivienne Crawshaw KC2001
2002
President: Lady Deborah Chambers KC | Vice-President: Karen Price2002
2003
President: Karen Price | Vice-President: Hon. Justice Mary Peters2004
President: Hon. Justice Mary Peters | Vice-President: Jennifer Caldwell2005
President: Jennifer Caldwell | Vice-President: Linda Robinson2006
President: Jennifer Caldwell | Vice-President: Tammy McLeod2007
President: Tammy McLeod2008
2008
President: Tammy McLeod2009
President: Sarah Carstens | Vice-President: Rachael Reed KC2010
President: Sarah Carstens | Vice-President: Rachael Reed KC2011
President: Rachael Reed KC | Vice-President: Maria Taylor2012
President: Rachael Reed KC2012
2013
President: Angela Hansen | Vice-President: Angela Stafford2014
President: Angela Hansen2014
2015
President: Angela Stafford | Vice-President: Kristin Bradley2016
President: Angela Stafford | Vice-President: Janna McGuigan2017
President: Janna McGuigan | Vice-President: Alicia Murray2018
President: Alicia Murray | Vice-President: Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon2019
2019
President: Alicia Murray | Vice-President: Kellie Arthur2020
2020
President: Laura Carter | Vice-President: Josie McNaught2021
President: Laura Carter | Vice-President: Josie McNaught2022
President: Anoushka Bloem | Vice-President: Simone Arcand2023
AWLA advocated for diversity and equity in law. It challenged the lack of representation at a legal event for students and advocated for the victims of sexual harassment and violence in the profession. AWLA hosted a range of informative events and fundraised for its New Law Student Scholarship.