Tangata People

Shelley Kapua-Tarpey - Tumuaki/Manager

Ko Ngongotaha, ko Mauao ōku Maunga

Ko Rotorua ōku roto, Wairoa (Tauranga) ōku awa

Ko Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Hangarau, Pirirakau ōku Hapu

Ko Te Arawa ko Ngāti Ranginui ōku Iwi

Ko Papaiouru ko Hangarau ōku Marae

No Rotorua ahau

Kei Ōtepoti tāku kainga

I have worked in management and leadership roles for more than 15 years, completing a Bachelor of Applied Management qualification majoring in Māori Organisational Leadership.  I enjoy being part of the Māori Law Centre, supporting whanau with Māori land matters, advice, and guidance.

Henry Francis - rōia / lawyer

Henry began working for the law centre in June 2022. He completed degrees in law and politics at University of Otago in 2017 and has since spent time working in the disability sector and music industry as a touring musician. He has a keen interest in human rights law and ensuring that justice is accessible to all people. In his role with the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre, Henry is excited to advocate for people with Māori land interests and to help to empower them to have positive interactions with the Māori land law system. Outside of work, Henry enjoys spending time with whānau and the Ōtepoti community, cooking, reading, and exploring the Otago Peninsula.

Hanako Aoyagi - rōia / lawyer

Hana began working for the Law Centre in January 2023. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts in Law. She has worked in the field of diplomacy and international cooperation for many years before moving to Aotearoa. Hana has much interest in equity and social justice. Hana wishes to contribute to strengthening those values through her work at a community level.  Hana enjoys learning te reo, trying new recipes, and travelling with her whānau.

Mia Brooke - rōia / lawyer

Mia joined the Law Centre in January 2023. She completed degrees in law and art history at Victoria University of Wellington in 2021. During her studies, Mia completed a research scholarship at Te Papa Museum and worked in the public sector. She has a strong commitment to promoting access to justice and looks forward to helping clients acheive their goals with whenua Māori. Outside of work, Mia enjoys spending time with friends and whānau, and is an avid tramper, cyclist and coffee-drinker. 

Cody Haitana – Law Clerk

Ko Tongariro me Ruapehu ngā maunga. 

Ko Aotea te waka. 

Ko Wanganui te awa. 

Ko Ngati Rongomai me Uenuku Manawawiri ngā hapū.  

Ko Rongomai me Te Puke ngā marae.  

Ko Ngati Tūwharetoa me Ngati Rangi ngā iwi.  

Ko Cody David Haitana ahau. 

Cody began working for the law centre in October 2024. He completed degrees in law, indigenous development, and politics at the University of Otago in 2024. As tangata whenua, he has a strong interest in Māori land law and more generally, as an advocate for tikanga within the legal system.  He mentions that empowering and fostering the relationship of mana whenua with their whenua and legal system is his paramount duty while working at the law centre. Outside of work, Cody enjoys spending time with friends and whānau, watching sports, and most importantly, playing golf.

Eden Purutia Irvine - Law Clerk

He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei me Ngāti Maniapoto hoki, ko Eden Purutia Irvine. 

Eden began her role as a Law Clerk at the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre in January 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (University of Otago), and has a deep passion for Māori and Indigenous legal research, whenua Māori, and the advancement of tikanga as an autonomous legal system. Eden is passionate about working alongside whānau, hapū, and iwi to empower our communities in navigating the legal process with calrity and confidence. She is excited to learn, and contribute to the kaupapa of the Law Centre, and extends her mihi ki te mana whenua o te Waipounamu.

Volunteers / Tūao

We also have senior law students from the University of Otago Law Faculty who volunteer with us. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering your time.

Jordan Paranihi - kaimahi

Jordan started volunteering with the Law Centre in September 2023 and transitioned into a legal assistant role in February 2024.  Jordan is currently in her penultimate year of studying for a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Otago.  Through her studies, she has enjoyed learning about Tikanga Māori and the assertion of Māori rights.  These interests, paired with her enthusiasm for property law, attracted her to work alongside the team at the Law Centre.  Jordan values community, so she spends her spare time volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau, Oranga Tamariki, Ōtepoti-Dunedin Whānau Refuge and as a St John Caring Caller."