Renika Siciliano

Renika provides legal and strategic advice to clients right across Aotearoa and leads the firm’s lawyers in te Tiriti o Waitangi and workplace law areas.

Renika’s approach is to understand both the client and the problem, and to provide clear, direct advice without overcomplicating things.  She believes in providing realistic solutions to clients by working within individual clients’ tikanga and principles, developing strong working relationships in doing so.  Renika enjoys the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with those she works with, and shares their successes.

In the words of Te Puea Herangi, “Mahia te mahi hei painga mō te iwi”.

She has extensive experience in matters relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including Treaty settlement negotiations, Māori governance and disputes relating to kaupapa Māori.  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.

Renika also has a wealth of knowledge in workplace law, advising on various employment matters for both employers and employees.  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.

As an Associate of AMINZ (Association of Arbitrators and Mediators), she accepts appointments as mediator or facilitator for various kaupapa, including urgent or complex employment matters.  She is a current member of the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.  Renika is also available to assist on arbitral panels where particular knowledge of kaupapa Māori is required.

Renika regularly presents at national conferences on Treaty-related and employment matters, having presented for Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, AMINZ and the New Zealand Law Society.  She is also called on often to provide thought leadership around the practice of law generally, presenting at the Future Firm Forum and LawFest.  She has held various governance positions including former Tumuaki Wāhine (Co-President) of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, Director of Northern Districts Cricket and is currently a Director of Waikato Rugby.

Outside the office, Renika focuses on spending time with her family and keeping active through netball and the gym.  She is actively involved in the community, including through her roles on school boards, supporting her son’s basketball, and with Fraser Tech Netball Club in Hamilton.

You will also find Renika working remotely in Taranaki from time to time to be close to her whānau there and to assist clients in that rohe.

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