Board Members

Nive (top), born in Chennai, India and raised in Aotearoa, is an advocate for social justice and women’s empowerment. Nive holds a background in health and public policy. She currently serves as a Regional Planning Lead with Te Whatu Ora. Nive’s governance expertise is evident through her roles as a board member, Co-Chair and Co-Secretary for YouthLaw Aotearoa, and vice president positions in various organisations. She’s also a layperson member of The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, contributing her expertise to disciplinary proceedings for health practitioners. Nive’s exceptional achievements include being named a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards and representing Aotearoa at UN meetings. In her personal life, she enjoys quality time with her husband and their two beloved dogs.

Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka

Ko Hau-hau Tane i te rangi Cherrington rāua ko Atareta Anaru ōku mātu
Ko Harvena Cherrington tōku ingoa

Harvena is proud to have had a long and fruitful relationship with YouthLaw. As a newly-minted lawyer, Harvena’s first employed position at YouthLaw was as the Māori Youth Solicitor, a position she held for 5 years. Now 21 years later she has been a member of the Board for a number of years, as well as conducting her own practice at all levels of the Criminal Court, Youth Court and in the Family Court in both Defence and as a Prosecutor previously for the New Zealand Police. Harvena is Co-Chair and Co-Secretary of the Board.

Although she practices in all courts in the wider Auckland area, she is based at Manukau and conducts the majority of her mahi as a sole practicing Barrister and Solicitor in the South Auckland area, where she was born and raised.  Her parents settled there from different areas in Northland, and encouraged the family’s education and interaction in the community.  Her family links remain strong, particularly in Northland however, she feels her feet are firmly planted here in the South Auckland community amongst the Māori, Pākehā and Pasifika families that give the community its vibrancy and its challenges.

Andy is a partner at Minter Ellison. He is a chartered accountant and lawyer, and has been a tax adviser since 1993. Andy has been YouthLaw’s Treasurer for many years, and works closely with staff and accountants to carefully manage YouthLaw’s finances. He is a member of the New Zealand Law Society Tax Reform Committee and the Financial Services Council Tax Advisory Group, and advises many charities as part of his day job.

Simon is an Auckland barrister with a broad practice in civil litigation, human rights and public law. He has particular expertise in the law relating to suspensions and exclusions from school and has represented students on a number of applications to the High Court to review school discipline decisions. In addition to being on the YouthLaw Board, Simon works with YouthLaw in advising clients and bringing strategic litigation.

Coral is Director at Wackrow Panoho & Associates, an Auckland-based general practice law firm and joined the Youthlaw Board in early 2019.  Coral has a broad range of practice areas including, Civil Litigation, Māori Legal Issues, Commercial and Residential Property, Relationship Property, Wills, Trusts and Estate Matters.  Coral is of Ngāti Hako and Ngāpuhi descent and is passionate about working with Māori and in particular Māori youth.  Prior to being admitted to the bar in 2014, Coral has enjoyed a number of roles engaging with Youth in Aotearoa including as a Youth Parliamentarian in 2007, a MATES mentor in 2010, a Youth Council member for the Minister of Māori Affairs in 2011 and a facilitator at the UN Youth Conference in 2012.   Outside of work Coral enjoys spending time with whānau and friends and travelling where possible.

David holds qualifications in science and law. He has worked in Quality, Safety and Risk Management in Australia and New Zealand and is currently the Manager Director at Resolutions Lawyers and Consultants. He has been involved in law reform with Government and has been an industry representative on Government reference groups.
David has a keen interest in Education law and has taken on a number of Board of Trustees and related cases since first becoming involved with YouthLaw in 2012. He is a member of our Risk and Governance sub-committee and Employment sub-committee.

Leiua is from the villages of Leulumoega, Satuimalufilufi, Lufilufi, Apolima-Uta and Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Leiua started working with YouthLaw in 2019 with the Project Team and has been on the board for 4 years now. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Auckland in 2022. She is currently a postgraduate student at the University of Auckland and a research assistant. Leiua says she loves being in spaces that are filled with passionate people who are willing to make a difference. Everything she does is for her village. In her free time, Leiua enjoys exploring Auckland, reading Pacific scholars’/writers’ work, and lounging in the comfort of her home.

Veisinia Maka is of Tongan descent and hails from the villages of Folaha and Longoteme. She was raised in the hearty suburbs of Mangere and Panmure. Veisinia is a dedicated advocate for increased youth inclusiveness concerning the development of communities, systems, and processes. She is an undergraduate University of Auckland student studying a Bachelor of Arts and Law, majoring in Sociology. Veisinia is currently a SkyCity Trustee, Assessor for Creative New Zealand and previously the Chairperson of Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Panel, Chairperson of the Tāmaki Youth Council and a Kiwibank Local Hero. In her spare time, she dedicates her time to writing a blog called, ‘Brown Privilege’ in the hopes to share her lessons and learnings within institution through the eyes of a young Pasifika woman. She believes that storytelling can change the world and encourages young people to influence change by sharing the one thing that no one can take away from you – your experiences.

He uri tēnei o Taranaki Maunga me te whakatohea. Kurarauringa, a Kaimahi at Te Tihi in Palmerston North, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a background in high-performance sports. Kurarauringa previously spent four years as a Youth Engagement Advisor designing programmes that focus on developmental education for rangatahi. Initially obtaining funding and incorporating ministry objectives into the programme whilst also networking and maintaining relationships with government and community organisations.
With a strong commitment to equity, Kurarauringa is dedicated to ensuring that opportunities for success are accessible to all. Kurarauringa takes the view that colonial law was written by people, and therefore can be re-written by the people, which is why she is actively involved with Youthlaw Aotearoa, as it champions the rights of Rangatahi throughout the legislative process and provides support and education to the community.
“Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina. The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.”

Piers has been involved with YouthLaw since it started in 1987. He was a lawyer from 1965 to 2021, specialising in Maritime Law and Cultural Heritage Law. He helped set up the first CAB legal advice and referral service in 1970 and the first Community Law Centre in Grey Lynn in 1977 (now the Auckland Community Law Centre).

Allan grew up in Porirua and Papatoetoe. He has a BA (history and politics), LLB (Hons), a postgrad diploma (distinction) in children’s advocacy, and a PhD. Allan practiced family law for more than 30 years, retiring in June 2024. He has since renewed his practising certificate to continue providing advice for an NGO in the childcare sector. In his retirement, Allan wants to contribute where he can around issues concerning children and young people. He was aware of YouthLaw’s work and is excited to join the Board in 2024. Allan and his wife Sue have four daughters between them and several grandchildren.