Waitangi Tribunal: Top 6 Firms Earn Just Over $37 Million in Legal Aid Since April 2019
11 July 2025. The New Zealand Reporter. This article: The NZR profiles the top 6 legal aid fee earners from the 2023/24 financial year based on Ministry of Justice data.
Six legal firms earned close to to $8.9 million in legal aid fees in the 2023/24 financial year in connection with work done with the Waitangi Tribunal, according to the Ministry of Justice.
On 9 April, The NZR reported that for that year, known Waitangi Tribunal costs has surpassed $35 million and included $19 million for “legal aid lawyers”.
Apart from Auckland-based Tamaki Legal/Tamaki Legal Ltd, the top-6 firms saw fees increase on the previous year, with Ngapo Law Limited (NL), seeing a more than 150 percent rise.
Waitangi Tribunal Gravy Train - Known Costs Nearly Triple, While Inquiries Crescendo
In the 2023/2024 financial year, Waitangi Tribunal expenses eclipsed $35 million, with more than $19 million going towards “legal aid lawyers”.
Since 1 April 2019, collectively the firms have earned just over $37.4 million in fees.
MOJ figures show the top fees earners in connection with the Waitangi Tribunal for the 2023/24 year were Tamaki Legal, Te Mata Law, Tukau Law, Mahony Horner Lawyers, NL, and Annette Sykes & Co. Ltd.
The New Zealand Reporter profiles each firm below.
#6 - Annette Sykes & Co. Limited
Since 1 April 2019, Annette Sykes’ firm has earned $5,293,531.83. Sykes is the firm’s sole director and shareholder.
In 2023/24, she brought in $1,003,184.28 in fees. That figure was up on $978,544.30 in 2022/23.
#5 - Ngapo Law Limited
Since 1 April 2020, Ngapo Law has made $2,848,183.06 in fees.
The director and shareholder is Arama Ngapo of Tokoroa.
In 2023/24, her firm earned $1,683,779.68. In 2022/23 it earned $515,826.34. She had seen a more than threefold increase. The NZR understands her firm ceased operations as of 31 March this year.
#4 - Mahony Horner Law/yers (MBH Administration Limited)
The Wellington-based firm has made $3,829,006.43 since 1 April 2019.
The firm directors and shareholders are Elspeth Horner, Thomas Mahony and Harry Rattray. Victoria Mahony is also a shareholder.
In 2023/24 the firm earned $1,173,732.33. By contrast, in 2022/23 they made $1,016,425.01.
#3 - Tukau Law
Since 1 April 2019, Tukau Law has brought in $6,721,380.30 in fees.
The directors and shareholders are Season Mary Downs and Chelsea Terei of Kaikohe.
In 2023/24 the firm earned $1,718,381.27, up on $1,504,237.39 in 2022/23.
#2 - Te Mata Law
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