Incoming President: Maria Dew KC

On 1 October 2022, passionate straight-talker Maria Dew KC takes over the presidency of the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture, as we bid fond farewell to dedicated current President Paul Radich KC.

Maria was appointed Queens Counsel in 2018 having joined the independent bar in 2000. Focusing on all areas of employment law throughout her career, she also acts in civil professional misconduct disputes. She has recently finished her term as Deputy Chair of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and remains expert panel member on several legal panels. She has been a member of the NZBA Council from 2017, when she first served under Clive Elliott KC and later Kate Davenport KC during their respective terms as President. Maria returned to Council in 2021, when she became President Elect. She has now had the benefit of serving under three different Presidents, taking valuable experiences from their different terms.

Each President brings their own talents and perspectives to the presidency, and Maria is no exception. With her strong reputation for leading independent investigations and reviews on public matters, she is well placed to understand the context in which the NZBA operates and to assimilate and respond to the changing needs of members and the Association as a whole.

Doing just that as an NZBA Council member, Maria led the launch of our recent member survey to understand the needs of our members.

Access to justice has been an overarching theme for Maria since she first joined the Council in 2017. Maria was involved in the NZBA Access to Justice Report in 2018, which has led on to our initiatives pressing for improvements in legal aid and recognition and funding for community pro bono services through the newly established Te Are Ture.

Maria also has a strong commitment to improving diversity at the bar, ensuring barristers of all backgrounds are able to work in a healthy and inclusive environment, supported by professional organisations such as the NZBA. A component of Maria’s commitment to diversity is a focus on gender equitable engagement of senior women barristers. As a Bar Council member, she been involved in the recent update to the joint NZLS and NZBA Gender Equality Charter.

Maria’s clear thinking and ability to get to the nub of things, along with her drive and passion for these and many other issues, are keenly anticipated by the NZBA.

It’s an exciting time to be on the NZBA Council, and the Bar Council and the Secretariat warmly welcome Maria and look forward to the changes ahead.