Renika provides legal and strategic advice to clients across Aotearoa and has extensive experience in matters relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Treaty settlement negotiations, Māori governance and iwi disputes. She also has a wealth of knowledge in workplace law, advising on various employment matters for both employers and employees. She believes in providing realistic solutions to clients by working within individual clients’ tikanga and principles, developing strong working relationships in doing so.

Renika leads the firm's exceptional and passionate lawyers in the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and workplace law areas. 

Renika has appeared in most Courts and forums in Aotearoa, including representing Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki in relation to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Tribal Trust v Minister of Conservation. She has also worked with clients in some of the first substantive matters to be heard under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

She represents and advises clients on the incorporation of tikanga Māori in employment spaces and is called on as an investigator in these spaces and beyond.  Renika is an Associate of AMINZ and able to assist as a mediator, or facilitator for various kaupapa.

Renika is regularly called on to present at national conferences on Treaty-related and employment matters.  In 2023, she has presented for Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, Legalwise, ADLS and at the Brightstar Annual Māori Legal, Business and Governance Forum.  She has also held various governance positions including former Tumuaki Wāhine (Co-President) of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (NZ Māori Law Society).

Outside the office Renika focusses on spending time with her family and is actively involved in the community, including coaching her son’s basketball.  Having grown up in Taranaki and moved to Hamilton to study in 2005, don’t be surprised to find Renika working remotely in Taranaki from time to time to be close to whānau.

Joining the firm in 2008, Renika was appointed a Director of the firm in 2018 and appointed Executive Director in October 2020.

• Bachelor of Arts (New Zealand Studies) (BA)
• Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB (Hons))
• Associate of AMINZ, the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand
• He Papa Tikanga, NZ Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori)
• Mana Ora, NZ Certificate in Māori Business & Management

2009

• Presiding Member, Puketaha School Board of Trustees

• 2021 - NZ Lawyer Rising Star
• 2022 - NZ Lawyer Most Influential Lawyer
• 2022 - Doyles Leading Māori Law, Māori Land & Treaty of Waitangi Lawyers
• 2023 - NZ Lawyer Most Influential Lawyer
• 2023 - Doyles Leading Māori Law, Māori Land & Treaty of Waitangi Lawyers
• 2023 - NZ Lawyer Elite Women