OUR TEAM
Tom Harris
Kaihautu
(Manager)
Kō Matai te maunga tapu
Kō Hokianga te moana nui
Kō Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Kō Motukaraka te marae
Kō Ngahuia te whare tupuna
Kō Ngai Tupoto raua ko Te Mahurhure oku hapu
Kō Te Rarawa ki Hokianga Raua Ngapuhi oku iwi
Nō Hokianga ahau
Kō Tom Harris taku ingoa
Tom has been serving our community for many years. He has now been given the privilege to lead a team of talented and passionate staff that are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring individuals in our community have an access point for justice.
Having both the communities' legal and unmet legal needs, is at the core of our service, the staff and his role here at the Waitematā Community Law Centre.
Tom is proud to serve as a trustee on a handful of executive boards which affords him the opportunity to support services that help the marginalised and disadvantaged in our community to obtain help where and when needed.
Family, fishing, tinkering with cars and bikes as well as coaching and watching sports take up most of his free time.
Kaihautu
(Manager)
Kō Matai te maunga tapu
Kō Hokianga te moana nui
Kō Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Kō Motukaraka te marae
Kō Ngahuia te whare tupuna
Kō Ngai Tupoto raua ko Te Mahurhure oku hapu
Kō Te Rarawa ki Hokianga Raua Ngapuhi oku iwi
Nō Hokianga ahau
Kō Tom Harris taku ingoa
Tom has been serving our community for many years. He has now been given the privilege to lead a team of talented and passionate staff that are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring individuals in our community have an access point for justice.
Having both the communities' legal and unmet legal needs, is at the core of our service, the staff and his role here at the Waitematā Community Law Centre.
Tom is proud to serve as a trustee on a handful of executive boards which affords him the opportunity to support services that help the marginalised and disadvantaged in our community to obtain help where and when needed.
Family, fishing, tinkering with cars and bikes as well as coaching and watching sports take up most of his free time.
Sabrina Muck
BA/LLB (Hons) Senior Lawyer Sabrina graduated from the University of Auckland and was admitted to practice law in 2005. She joined WCLC in October 2017 and supervises our team of lawyers and volunteers. She has previously run free legal advice clinics at Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as volunteering for community organisations including the Auckland City Mission, Auckland Women’s Centre, and the Onewa Parents Centre. Sabrina is passionate about supporting our clients to access the law as it applies to their situation, and empowering people in their own decision-making, to reach solutions which work for them. She has a particular interest in rights to housing and homelessness issues in our community. Sabrina is married to Warren and is mama to two little ones. She loves spending time with family, heading to the beach, dancing, reading and spoken word poetry. 
Robert Thompson
LLM (Hons) Lawyer / Legal Educator Kō Parliament Hill te maunga Kō Lough Macnean te moana nui Kō Snekkja te waka Kō Campbell te iwi Kō Border Reiver te hapu Kō Charles ar Cnoc Droinne taku papa Kō Mavis Saltersdóttir taku mama Kō Robert Charlesson Thompson taku ingoa Kō Tuican hom Ahau. Robert is a rolling stone who hails from all over. He has had employment as diverse as a shop steward on the docks and consigliere to the military-industrial complex. He believes in continuing education and has read law off and on for more years that he cares to remember, ending up with an LLM (Hons). After studying and working in the British Isles & the EU, Robert spent a number of years in the Far East where he was involved in new business development & security consulting and tutored in law. Robert emigrated to Christchurch just in time for the earthquakes and later moved to Auckland where he was admitted to the New Zealand bar in 2015. He believes all citizens and residents of Aotearoa should have equal access to justice. 
Sheila Holo
Front Desk & Admin Sheila is our receptionist, who started with us in June 2016. She has a Bachelor of Information Technology from Otago Polytechnic. As well as managing our front-desk, her IT qualifications and skills has enabled her undertake and assist in the daily IT tasks in our office. Sheila is of Niuean descent, who has lived in West Auckland most of her life. Sheila comes from a strong family orientated upbringing and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. |
Kate Robb
BA, LLB Lawyer / Legal Education Co-ordinator. Kate is a Community Lawyer / Rōia Hapori with a particular interest in alternative dispute resolution, procedural justice, human rights, and employment law. Kate is passionate about empowering people to stand up for their rights, make informed choices, and prevent legal issues before they arise. Kate hails from Ahuriri and began volunteering at Waitematā Community Law Centre while still a law student. After being admitted to the bar, Kate joined our team as a full-time lawyer. In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and running, and is currently in training for the Hawke's Bay Marathon in 2018. 
Sarah Beshay
LLB Lawyer Sarah is an Egyptian born Kiwi who grew up in the Shore. She is a 2017 law graduate from AUT University. Sarah has been volunteering with us since March 2014 and is now a permanent team member. What Sarah enjoys most about her job here is feeling a part of a whānau that allows her to give back to the community through using her legal skills. Her greatest desire is to build a reliable relationship with her clients and provide them with the tools they need to access social justice. Sarah looks forward to her ongoing learning in all areas of law she has been exposed to while working with us. However her current future inspiration lies in gaining experience in litigation, human rights law and international law. On any other day Sarah enjoys going on a solid beach walk or serving at her community church. 
Ashika Devi
Accounts & Administration / Volunteers Coordinator Ashika came from the beautiful island of Fiji. She joined our team in July 2017. She has completed her Diploma in Business Management and is working towards in pursuing her degree. Ashika manages our Accounts and Administration department. She is analytical and detail-oriented professional with experience coordinating, planning, and supporting daily operational and administrative functions in her role. In her time off she enjoys spending with family and friends, sightseeing and also leading a youth team in her community. 
Gemma Byford
Kaihapai Ko Maungatautari te māunga Ko Rangitikei te awa/roto/moana Ko Tainui te waka Ko Kauwhata tōku marae Ko Hetarka Takapuna tōku tīpuna Ko Raukawa tōku iwi Ko Paoa tōku hapū Nō Aorangi ahau Kō Gemma Byford taku ingoa Gemma was born and raised in the Manawatu and relocated to West Auckland with her family in 2011. Gemma started at Wailaw as a volunteer on Reception and is now back with us in a permanent role as our kaihāpai. Gemma is excited to be back with the team, she looks forward to being out and supporting our community, connecting with other organisations to enable to provide services for the unmet need of the Maori community. As a busy Mum of three boys Gemma enjoys taking them out to the beach and parks. In her down time she likes to listen to music and watch Netflix. |
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