Our staff

Andrea is in the general legal team and is the prison service rōia for Rimutaka Prison. She has experience in a broad range of legal matters .She has a background in general practice and local government law.

Brooke (she/her) is one of the Kairuruku Kaitūao (Volunteer Coordinators) at CLWHV. Her role involves coordinating and supporting the many rōia who volunteer their time and skills at Community Law. Brooke splits her time between the Pōneke and Te Awa Kairangi offices. Email: Brooke@wclc.org.nz

Clair (they/them) is one of our two Rōia Hapori Kāinga/ Housing Community Lawyers. – Housing. Clair provides advice and advocacy to clients on housing and tenancy matters. They split their time between the Pōneke and Te Awa Kairangi offices. Clair works under the supervision of the General/Housing Kaihautū.
Email: clair@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

Everard (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Whiti) works with the Pou Whirinaki (Services to Māori) team. He also supports our restorative justice services. Everard has a legal and Māori studies background. He is passionate about working to resolve human conflict and access to justice. Email: everard@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: rilas@wclc.org.nz

Jen is our Kaihautū Whakahaere/Operations Manager. She oversees HR, finances, and office administration, and she also
collaborates on policy and publicity for the organisation.
Jen has a background in management, media and events.

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

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

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.

Nabilah (she/her) is our Digital Content Creator. She maintains our social media pages, websites and promotional materials.

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.

Email: naomi@wclc.org.nz

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

Paige Puketapu (Te Ātiawa, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui) is the Kairuruku Paremata Whakahaumanu (Restorative Justice Coordinator) for the Porirua District Court. Her role focuses on guiding participants through the process of restorative justice while fostering a clear understanding of its purpose and principles.

Renata (Ngāti Koata, Kāi Tahu) is a Rōia Hapori (Community Lawyer) in the Refugee & Immigration Legal Advisory Service team (RILAS). She mainly works on refugee family reunification files. She also provides legal advice at the RILAS drop-in session on Wednesday at the Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt Valley) office. Renata works under the supervision of the RILAS Kaihautū.

Sjimmy-Zev Tamanui-Fransen is from Te Tai Rāwhiti and Te Tai Tokerau. He shares a Kaihāpai Pouako Hapori role in the Pou Whirinaki team. Sjimmy has joined CLWHV from the trades industry where he primarily served Māori communities.

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

Teresa 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.  Teresa has a background working in the community with Pacific community groups, homelessness, domestic violence, and child development education. Teresa has a special interest in psychology and is working towards her master’s in psychology.

Email: Teresah@wclc.org.nz

Tim is our Legal Resource Writer/Kaituhu Rauemi Ture and is responsible for editing the Community Law Manual. He has a background in constitutional history, research for Waitangi Tribunal inquiries, and advocacy.

Email: tim@wclc.org.nz

Vasu is the Kaihāpai/Advocate 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.