Experience

• 

  Parry Field Lawyers

  • New Zealand
  • Legal Services
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Partner

    • Apr 2019 - Present

    I am a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers based in Christchurch, New Zealand. I have almost 20 years experience as a lawyer and am a leader in our commercial team helping start-up companies as well as more mature tech companies, social enterprises, not for profits and others. After 3 years in Wellington and then 11 years overseas working for an international law firm in Tokyo (4 years), London (3 years) and Sydney (4 years), I returned at the start of 2016 and so bring a unique perspective and proactive approach to issues faced by clients. I work with both New Zealand and international companies with a strong focus on those investing here.I have a unique focus on empowering impact and published the free ebook: "Social Enterprises in New Zealand: A Legal Handbook" (msg for a copy). To educate, encourage and grow the impact ecosystem I host a podcast called "seeds" www.theseeds.nz interviewing inspiring people with almost 100 interviews and more than 25,000 listens. Am not a stranger to being involved in a start-up myself as co-founder of an IT start-up focusing on AI enabled chatbot solutions: http://activeassociate.com/. I graduated from Canterbury University before working for a national law firm in Wellington for 3 years and then joining Norton Rose Fulbright in 2005 for 11 years. I had two secondments to clients - the in house legal team of the Japanese trading house Mitsui in Tokyo (2 years) and Caltex in Sydney (1 year). Currently hold practising certificate for New Zealand but have also qualified in England & Wales and New South Wales.I’d love the chance to talk with you about how our team could help yours.Some endorsements here: https://changeforgood.parryfield.com/testimonials/Recent articles: https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/13-11-2018/the-new-christchurch-style-old-boys-out-entrepreneurs-in/https://style.kiwi/new-business-thinkers-unearthed-by-the-quakes

  • Senior Associate

    • Jan 2016 - Apr 2019

    Work with clients investing into New Zealand as well as helping start ups get their structures right from the beginning (including tech companies, social enterprises and not for profits).

• 

  Ministry of Awesome

  • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Startup Mentor

    • Oct 2023 - Present
    • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Helping build Aotearoa New Zealand's knowledge-based economy through startup founder mentorship.

• 

  Community Finance

  • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Chair of Board Of Directors

    • Nov 2019 - Present
    • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Am the Chair of this Impact Investing Company which is raising funding for Social Housing. In the first year we have raised more than $50 million. For more visit https://www.communityfinance.co.nz/

• 

  Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF)

  • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

  • EHF Fellow

    • Oct 2020 - Present
    • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Am one of the Kiwi EHF Fellows in Cohort 7. More on this is here: https://www.ehf.org/

• 

  Seeds Podcast

  • New Zealand

  • Founder of Seeds Podcast

    • Sep 2017 - Present
    • New Zealand

    Founded Seeds podcast - more info at www.theseeds.nz

• 

  External Reporting Board

  • New Zealand

  • Member of XRB Advisory Panel (XRAP)

    • Jul 2021 - Present
    • New Zealand

    The External Reporting Advisory Panel (XRAP) provides a forum where the three XRB Boards can consult with individuals and representatives of organisations affected by their work. XRB is an independent Crown Entity which is responsible for the accounting and auditing & assurance standards in New Zealand. More on this is here: https://www.xrb.govt.nz/about-xrb/xrap/

• 

  ADLS

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • ADLS Technology & Law Committee

    • Oct 2022 - Present
    • Auckland, New Zealand

• 

  esela - The legal network for social impact

  • Asia Pacific

  • APAC Regional Chair for Impact Lawyers Group

    • Jun 2021 - Present
    • Asia Pacific

    Elected as Chair of APAC Impact Lawyers Group

• 

  Institute of Directors in New Zealand

  • New Zealand

  • Facilitator for legal part of Company Director Course

    • Feb 2020 - Present
    • New Zealand

• 

  Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)

  • New Zealand

  • Member of Charities Services Sector Group

    • Oct 2017 - Present
    • New Zealand

    Member of Sector Group for Charities Services which gives them input - more on it here https://www.charities.govt.nz/charities-in-new-zealand/charities-sector-group/

• 

  Christian Savings Limited

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Director

    • Jul 2019 - Present
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    Director of this Non Bank Deposit Taker which provides finance for Charities and Churches.

• 

  Whānau Whenua Whare Trust

  • Trustee of Whānau Whenua Whare Trust

    • Jul 2021 - Present

    I am a trustee of the Whānau Whenua Whare Trust a registered charity which has a focus on Māori housing solutions.

• 

  Lincoln University (NZ)

  • Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Guest Lecturer on Purpose & Business & Legal Structures

    • Aug 2021 - Aug 2021
    • Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand

    Guest lecturing on business for good and legal structures.

• 

  Norton Rose Fulbright

  • United Kingdom
  • Law Practice
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Senior Associate

    • Mar 2012 - Dec 2015

    Worked in the private M&A corporate team mainly with foreign investors coming into Australia. Also included a 1 year secondment into the legal team of Caltex in Sydney.

  • Senior Associate

    • Jan 2008 - Mar 2012

    Included two year secondment at leading Japanese trading house Mitsui working in the Asia Pacific Legal Team.

  • Associate

    • May 2005 - Jan 2008

    Worked with many AIM listed companies as well as assisting on IPOs and cross border transactions.

• 

  Russell McVeagh

  • Wellington

  • Associate

    • Feb 2001 - Dec 2003
    • Wellington

    Worked in corporate and commercial team for many leading New Zealand companies.