Hon Christopher Finlayson
Attorney-General

29 August 2013

Media Statement

District Court Judge appointed

Auckland barrister Grant Powell has been appointed a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. He will sit in Auckland.

Judge Powell was admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 1987. He began his legal career at Kensington Swan. From 1996-2003 he was a partner of Walters Williams & Co and its predecessor firm, and from 2003 to 2011, prior to becoming a barrister, was a partner at Powell Webber & Associates. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal, the High Court and District Court on civil and criminal matters. He has also appeared in the Environment Court, the Māori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal. He has played a significant role as counsel in Treaty settlement negotiations, regional inquiries and other claims in the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as engagement with the Crown over foreshore and seabed and Resource Management Act matters.

He is a current committee member of the NZLS Legal Services Committee and a cycling enthusiast. He is the vice-chair of New Zealand School Cycling Association, a coach with both the Baradene College and St Peter’s College cycling teams, and competed in the World Masters Track Cycling Championships in Manchester in 2011.

Judge Powell will be sworn in on 2 September 2013 at Auckland.

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