NZ LAW Limited has appointed Kristine King as its new chair, succeeding Auckland lawyer Michael Busch who has retired from the organisation’s board.
The association has also elected two new directors to its board – Natalie Gaskin and Daniel Moore.
The appointments took effect from 7 October and mean NZ LAW’s board is now comprised of three women and four men.
“The board and I would like to acknowledge the contribution Michael Busch has made to the board as a director for seven years, and in the past three years as chairman. As chair, he has bought a level of enthusiasm and professionalism that has greatly benefited the board and the group,” King said.
“Under his leadership, NZ LAW has implemented a number of new initiatives to support and encourage our members to tackle the challenges that face legal professionals,” she added.
“We are also pleased that NZ LAW acknowledges the strong contribution that women have in its member firms by having nearly 50% female representation on our board. Women have a significant part to play in the governance of any organisation and NZ LAW is well pleased to be leading the way.”
King, who was elected to NZ LAW’s board in 2012, with special responsibilities for the financial portfolio, is a director of Duncan King Law, a boutique practice in Newmarket, Auckland formed by a merger of several local firms.
Her areas of practice are property, trusts and commercial matters with a special interest in subdivisions.
King, who volunteers time to the
New Zealand Law Society as a Standards Committee Lawyer Member in Auckland, is also a regular public speaker and presents on a number of property and asset protection issues for ANZ, Bayleys Real Estate and the Auckland Property Investors Association.
Natalie Gaskin is a partner of Wellington law firm Johnston Lawrence Ltd and advises clients on commercial, property and trust matters.
She is one of New Zealand’s top amateur long-course triathletes and competes nationally as well as internationally in ironman and half-ironman events.
She recently placed second in her division at the 70.3 (half-ironman) World Champs in Mooloolaba and achieved a top-10 finish at the Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii.
Hamilton lawyer Dan Moore is a commercial law partner at Norris Ward McKinnon specialising in joint ventures, IT matters, commercial property and construction law. He is also a chair of the Waikato Rugby Union’s judiciary and appeals panels and a member of the board of trustees for the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.
“We welcome Natalie Gaskin and Dan Moore to the board and we look forward to their contributions to the group,” King said.
“NZ LAW would also like to acknowledge the long service to the board of David Graham of Panmure member firm, DG Law Limited. He retires from the board having completed five years as a director. David has been pivotal in driving the group’s benchmarking initiatives and library portfolio,” she added.
NZ LAW’s board of directors now comprises:
• Kristine King, Duncan King Law, Newmarket, Auckland (chair) with directors
• Michael de Buyzer, Berry & Co, Oamaru
• Gerard DeCourcy, Downie Stewart, Dunedin
• Natalie Gaskin, Johnston Lawrence, Wellington
• Jacquie Gray, Gifford Devine, Hastings
• Mark Henderson, Corcoran French, Christchurch, and
• Dan Moore, Norris Ward McKinnon, Hamilton.
