Joanna joined Kāhui Legal in November 2018 and was admitted to the bar in December 2019.

Joanna has a conjoint degree in Law (First Class Honours) and Arts (International Relations) from Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka and was awarded the Simpson Grierson Scholarship and two Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America during her studies.  She wrote her thesis on the State’s criminal responsibility for historical institutional child abuse and how to achieve justice for survivors.

Joanna specialises in issues relating to te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi, including historical and contemporary Treaty claims, legislative and regulatory reform and Māori-Crown relations.  She also assists on criminal defence, public and Māori land law litigation.

Joanna holds a level 4 certificate in Te Reo Māori from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and continues to develop her te reo Māori me ōna tikanga skills.

Areas of expertise

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi
• Legislative and regulatory reform
• Māori-Crown relations
• Criminal law litigation
• Public law litigation