Staff

Darryn Aitchison joined YouthLaw as GM in October 2023. The route to YouthLaw started in 2008, when he joined Community Law as a staff solicitor in West Auckland. He has held leadership and management roles in the sector since, including as General Manager of Auckland CLC, and the inaugural Director of Te Ara Ture (Aotearoa’s pro bono clearinghouse).
Darryn has had a long-term interest in working closely with the youth sector, and is excited about the prospect of doing that through a specialist law centre. He brings with him extensive knowledge of the access to justice sector, and strong relationships with the Community Law and the broader legal profession. Darryn is from Ōtepoti (Dunedin) but has lived in West Auckland with his partner and three children since 2004. He loves cooking and mountain running, but an aging back has seen him swap the running for cycling to work.

Natalie joined the YouthLaw team in 2023 after completing her Masters in Sociology, which focused on how intergenerational relationships can affect the hauora of both young adults and older adults. She has previously worked and volunteered with other youth organisations and is passionate about supporting rangatahi to succeed. Outside of work, Natalie can be found training for triathlons, playing a board game with friends, or spoiling her cat Freyja.

Velda immigrated to NZ from Hong Kong at a young age and can never answer the question of whether she likes NZ or HK more because they’re so different yet both such fantastic gems in their own way. Prior to working at YouthLaw, Velda volunteered here whilst attending University, and loved how you know that you’re assisting a physical person rather than just a name on a piece of paper. Velda has an addiction to Korean entertainment and frequents the noraebang (Korean karaoke) to sing the latest Korean pop.

Sarah is the Education and Engagement Manager. She has worked as a community educator for many years and has an extensive knowledge and experience in the education field. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering the youth she works with to fulfil their individual potential. Sarah has worked for YouthLaw since 2018. She supports other Community Law Centres to deliver many LRE sessions, which involves travelling around the motu. Through this work she has developed strong relationships and trust. She has both governance and management experience, but is ultimately a strong voice for the grass roots community law workforce. Sarah appreciates the company of her pup Jack Albert and good friends.

Stevie is the Community and Policy Advisor. She works at the intersection of community engagement and law reform, weaving frontline youth work with evidence-based policy research to make meaningful change. She has experience working in education, advocacy, and youth justice in Aotearoa and internationally. Stevie stewards kaupapa that connects lived experience with policy and legislative reform. She holds a deep belief in the power of community leadership and a commitment to structural change that reflects the realities of those most impacted. Outside of the office, you’ll find her around Tāmaki Makaurau sharing kai and kōrero with friends and whānau.

Sui (top) worked at Youthlaw a few years back and is excited to return as Law Related Educator to continue the awesome mahi. She is proud to be from this whenua as tangata tiriti and loves representing the 685 (Samoa mo Samoa). Her parents migrated from the beautiful island of Samoa and she was raised in South Auckland, alongside her close-knit siblings who are heavily involved with community in their work and practice. Sui has worked in the youth sector for almost 15 years and is passionate about positive youth development. She loves being a mum and an aunty and enjoys op shopping.  Top foods are a good bubble tea, fresh mango, corn soaked in butter and Vietnamese fried spring rolls. Samoan proverb: ‘O le ala ile pule o le tautua’ – ‘The road to leadership is through service.

Prisca is undertaking an intern placement at YouthLaw as a social practice student. She has been studying for almost four years, and this is her final placement before completing her Bachelor in Social Practice degree. Prisca is working with YouthLaw’s Education and Engagement team. Her career passion is to work within the criminal justice sector. In her free time, Prisca loves reading, being in nature, and spending time with friends. She enjoys working out and has a strong interest in fashion, as she also works in a retail clothing and shoe store. 

Cole began his legal career at YouthLaw after graduating from AUT University, initially volunteering in 2021 before moving into a law clerk role and then joining the team as a Solicitor. He has a background in working with children and completed his dissertation on youth justice in New Zealand. Through these experiences, Cole developed a strong passion for advocating for the rights of youth. He values being in a role where he can make a positive difference in the community. Outside of work, Cole enjoys coaching at his local judo club, watching TV and movies, and playing tabletop games with his friends.

Andrew started his legal career with YouthLaw in 2022, having enjoyed volunteering at Auckland Community Law Centre as a law student. He enjoys being part of the YouthLaw team and learning how the law can be used to help young people. Much of his work is in the school-related space, helping students who are facing disciplinary action or struggling to get enrolled and attend school full-time. In his spare time, you’ll find Andrew hanging out with people, reading, or in the great outdoors!

Gretchen started with YouthLaw late 2019, after long being aware of its awesome work. In her role, she works on YL’s communications, fundraising initiatives and organises the volunteer intakes. Her career background is in journalism and communications, particularly in the non-for-profit sector, which is something she’s passionate about. Outside of work, Gretchen enjoys getting into nature, reading a good book and hanging out with her family and friends.