Our staff

Ben is one of the Kairuruku Kaitūao (Volunteer Coordinators). They work part-time supporting our volunteers who provide legal services to the community. Primarily, they look after the Student Right Service in conjunction with WCJP which offers information about rights at school and kura across Aotearoa. Alongside working at CLWHV, they are completing their Bachelor of Law and History at VUW. Ben uses they/them pronouns. Details on applying to volunteer can be found here.

Brigid (she/her) is a Kaituhi Rauemi / Legal Resource Writer. She researches and writes for the Community Law Manual, our flagship plain language guide to your rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. Brigid has a background in law and literature. She is a current Masters student at Te Herenga Waka, with research focused on contemporary Palestinian resistance poetry. 

 You can get in touch with Brigid at brigid@wclc.org.nz

Claire (she/her) (Ngāti Kahungunu) is the Sales & Sponsorship Coordinator for the Publications team and is also completing her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Art History at Te Herenga Waka. Claire works on marketing and distributing our publications, and securing purchases and sponsorships, especially for our flagship resource, the Community Law Manual. At the core of Claire’s work is liaising with law firms and community organisations across the motu to get the Manual to those who need it.

To kōrero about sponsoring a Manual, get in touch at publications@wclc.org.nz

Dhilum is a Rōia Hapori – Community Lawyer on our RILAS team with a particular interest in immigration, privacy, employment, resource management, and local government.  She volunteers at Citizens Advice Bureau and has three tamariki.  Dhilum assists migrant survivors of domestic violence with visa applications and appeals to the Immigration & Protection Tribunal. Dhilum also works on migrant exploitation work in the employment space.

Email: dhilum@wclc.org.nz

Esther is the Kairuruku Paremata Whakahaumanu (Restorative Justice Coordinator) for the Wellington court. You can reach her on 022 123 6065 or esther@wclc.org.nz

Jacob (He/Him) is the Kaihautū (manager) for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Advice Service (‘RILAS’).  He has worked primarily in Immigration and Refugee law in private practice, doing a wide range of immigration work including representing clients in refugee claims, IPT appeals, Ministerial requests, and a range of visa applications. Jacob assists his team and Community Law’s many volunteers and advocates to give advice and effectively represent clients in the immigration and refugee fields.

Email: Jacob@wclc.org.nz

Kate (she/her) is Co-General Manager of Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley & Senior Community Lawyer / Rōia Kahika. She primarily works in the Employment, Human Rights, and Privacy portfolios, with expertise in transgender law.
Email: kate@wclc.org.nz

Kim Hoods is a Rōia Hapori (Community Lawyer) in the Refugee & Immigration Legal Advisory Service team (RILAS). Her particular focus is in the family violence (FV) area working with migrants who are on temporary visas and experiencing family violence.

She also assists at CLWHV advice drop-in clinics during the RILAS sessions both in Pōneke (Wellington) and Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt Valley). Kim works under the supervision of the RILAS Kaihautū and Senior FV Lawyer.

Laura is one of our two Rōia Hapori Kāinga/ Housing Community Lawyers. Laura provides legal advice and advocacy to clients on housing and tenancy matters.

Email: laura@wclc.org.nz

Louise is one of our Kairuruku Kaitūao/Volunteer Coordinators. She is a Cultural Anthropology graduate from VUW and has experience working with different community organisations. Details on applying to volunteer can be found here.

E-mail: louise@wclc.org.nz

Manuela (she/her) is one of our Rōia Hapori / Community Lawyer in our general legal team. Manuela provides legal advice and advocacy in a range of matters including family, criminal, consumer and employment.

Naomi (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) is the Restorative Justice Services manager.  She is responsible for delivering criminal restorative justice services in the Wellington region. You can read more about our RJ services here.

Naomi was previously one of the volunteer coordinators at Community Law.  Other past roles include Rangatahi Coordinator at Kahungunu Whānau Services and kaitakawaenga at the Human Rights Commission, where she focused on indigenous rights, Te Tiriti and positive race relations in NZ.

Email: naomi@wclc.org.nz

Olive is the Kaiārahi Project Coordinator. She is responsible for providing legal education to community groups, coordinating outreach clinics, and managing CL’s pro bono relationship with law firms.  Olive has a background working in social welfare policy. They also teach pottery.

Email: olive@wclc.org.nz

Oscar is the Rōia Kaihautū / Senior Lawyer for the general legal team. He oversees the general legal team and primarily works on consumer, tenancy, employment, and criminal matters. Oscar has a background in public law and in peer-based support and advocacy for trans and gender diverse communities.

Queenie Scott-Murray (NgāPuhi, Ngāti Awa) is a Kaihāpai Hapori (Community Advocate) in the Pou Whirinaki Team. You can read more about our Pou Whirinaki team here

Email: Queenie@wclc.org.nz

Rachael is our Kaihautū Whakahaere/Operations Manager. She is a Law/Gender Studies graduate from Victoria, and has been volunteering with Community Law since 2016. She previously worked as one of our Volunteer Co-ordinators and has a background of community activism. Rachael is passionate about ensuring equitable access to justice for all.

Email:  rachael@wclc.org.nz

Stacey is from Ngā Puhi and is one of our General Managers and also a Rōia Hapori (Community Lawyer) in the Pou Whirinaki (Services to Māori) team. Stacey has come to CLWHV from the Community Law Marlborough, where she has done similar work. She also sits on the executive for Ngā Kaiāwhina Hapori Māori o te Ture, the national Māori caucus for the Community Law movement.

Email: stacey@wclc.org.nz

Te Irirangi (Ngati Porou, Tūwharetoa) is the Kaitiaki o te Whare Mahi o Te Awa Kairangi, in charge of oversight at our Lower Hutt office. She also coordinates our community education programme, including community advocacy training and the REP.

email: TeIrirangi@wclc.org.nz

Tiana (she/her) is our Kaihautū Tānga / Publications Director based mainly in our Pōneke office. Tiana leads and supports our publications team. The team produce our written resources, including our flagship publication, the Community Law Manual. Tiana also works within the general rōia / legal team, providing legal advice and ongoing support to clients with a range of legal issues.

Get in touch with Tiana to chat about the Community Law Manual or any of our other resources!

Email: tiana@wclc.org.nz

Vasudha is the Client Care Coordinator for our Refugee and Immigration Legal Advice Service (RILAS). She is experienced in supporting and advocating for family violence victims, and so as well as maintaining the administrative systems that support RILAS, Vasu also contributes to manaaki and care for RILAS clients experiencing family violence.

Email: vasudha@wclc.org.nz.