Rachael Jones

LLM – Columbia Law School – 2019

LLB (Hons)/BA – University of Otago – 2014

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He uri nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Rakaipaaka.

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Rachael is an experienced litigation lawyer with particular expertise in Māori legal issues and public and administrative law. Rachael has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Māori Land Court.  

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With her special interest in Māori legal issues, Rachael has represented clients in precedent cases relating to tikanga Māori in the law of Aotearoa in the senior courts.  She has also acted in alternative dispute resolution forums for iwi and hapū clients, as well as for entities who engage with Māori groups.

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Rachael also provides advice and advocacy in matters relating to:

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• Māori land;
• Trusts and governance, in particular for post-settlement governance entities;
• Law reform;
• Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) proceedings;
• Intellectual property;
• Contract and commercial issues;
• Environmental and resource management instructions.

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Rachael’s work is recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution directory for 2022. She was also recognised as a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer in 2024. She also received the inaugural Te Pae Tata Award for her contribution to a project that significantly advanced indigenous interests, awarded by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa in 2018.

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Rachael is available to accept instructions as sole or junior counsel at any stage of a proceeding. Rachael has particular expertise in briefing expert evidence for trial. 

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Prior to joining the independent bar in January 2025, Rachael was a Senior Associate at Chapman Tripp in Auckland, where she worked for nine years in the firm’s litigation and Te Waka Ture teams. Rachael began her career as a Judges’ Clerk in the Wellington High Court, assisting Justice Joe Williams and Justice Brendan Brown.  

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In 2018 Rachael studied towards a Master of Laws (LLM) at Columbia Law School in New York City, which she attended as a Fulbright (Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga) Scholar. She also received scholarships from the Yvonne A M Smith Trust, the Spencer Mason Trust and Ngāti Kahungunu Incorporated to support her studies. Rachael graduated from Columbia with academic honours in 2019, before returning to Chapman Tripp.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust v Attorney-General [2018] NZSC 84; and [2022] NZHC 843: acted as counsel for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust in successful judicial review proceedings seeking declarations as to their mana whenua and ahi kā rights in Tāmaki.

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Mercury NZ Ltd & Ors v Waitangi Tribunal & Ors [2021] NZHC 142654: represented Mercury NZ in proceedings relating to the Waitangi Tribunal’s binding resumption jurisdiction, the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986 and tikanga Māori.

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ANZ Bank New Zealand Ltd v Bushline Trustees Ltd [2020] NZSC 71: represented ANZ in successful Supreme Court appeal relating to Contractual Remedies Act, Fair Trading Act and Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act issues over the sale of financial derivatives.

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Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia Ltd v Auckland Council [2020] NZHC 2768: represented Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia Ltd in successful appeal to the High Court against Environment Court decision in relation to whether the Environment Court has jurisdiction to make determinations as to the relative strengths of relationships to a particular area as a matter of tikanga Māori. Also acted as counsel in hearing remitted to the Environment Court in 2024.

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Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Inc v Martin [2016] NZCA 548: acted as counsel for Te Whakakitenga o Waikato in successful appeal to the Court of Appeal in relation to dispute over election results brought by an individual member.

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‍Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd v Allegion (New Zealand) Ltd [2016] NZHC 1738: member of trial team for Allegion’s successful defence of patent infringement claims.