His experience covers Treaty of Waitangi, Crown-Māori relationship, national security, governance
Paul Goldsmith – New Zealand’s Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage – has announced the appointments of three new members to the board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), including lawyer James Christmas.
“The trio of new members, James Christmas, Karyn Rachtman and Susannah Robinson, have expertise across fundraising, philanthropy, Crown governance, sector experience and revenue generation,” said Goldsmith in the news release of the New Zealand government.
Christmas, an Auckland-based barrister, has a background in government and in the arts, which Goldsmith characterised as “an asset to the NZSO” in the news release.
“I would like to acknowledge the outgoing members, Claire Szabó and Hon Chris Finlayson KC, for the crucial roles they have played on the Board during their terms,” Goldsmith said in the government’s news release.
Christmas, who focuses on public law, is experienced in the Treaty of Waitangi, Crown-Māori relationship, national security, and governance, according to his profile on the website of Britomart Chambers, which is based in central Auckland.
His practice areas also include inquiries, reviews, and human rights, his profile adds. He has an interest in New Zealand’s foreign policy and the arts. He served as a trustee of the New Zealand String Quartet from 2017–23.
Christmas has been a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand since 2012 and has practised as a barrister sole since 2019, as per his profile. He was a senior adviser to former Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson and Prime Ministers John Key and Bill English and was also a senior legal adviser for the Ministry of Defence.
With Finlayson, Christmas co-authored He Kupu Taurangi, a history of treaty settlements under the national government, in 2021. He has also been writing the biography of former National Party Minister of Justice Ralph Hanan, his profile states.
Christmas obtained his Master of Arts degree in 2011 and his Bachelor of Laws degree in 2012, both from the Victoria University of Wellington, his profile says.
