About us
Find out more about who we are, our people and how we are funded.
Waitematā Community Law Centre has been serving the West, North West and North Auckland community for 20 years.
We are one of 24 Community Law Centres (CLCs) around Aotearoa New Zealand. Each CLC is independently run with it’s own board, management and staff.
Waitematā Community Law Centre is a generalist centre, providing advice and education on most areas of the law.
Our staff
Waitematā Community Law Centre’s services are provided by a team of dedicated lawyers and administrative staff.
Our paid staff are supplemented by practising pro bono lawyers and law student volunteers. We have a diverse team motivated to improve access to justice.
We are currently building the next generation of our service. Keen to work or volunteer for us? Check out our vacancies or get in touch today.
Our history
A community law service for West Auckland was proposed in 2004. We opened in 2005 as Waitakere Community Law Service, operating out of 1 Trading Place in Henderson.
In 2002 our name changed to Waitematā Community Law Service reflecting the expanded catchment we cover today - between New Lynn and Wellsford. In 2011 the centre expanded it’s office space.
In late 2025 we refreshed our logo, brand identity and office space to be more responsive for our next 20 years.
Original logo 2005
2009 to 2025
2025
Our funding
Waitematā Community Law Centre is independent of the public service and not funded by the taxpayer.
Our services are funded by the interest from solicitor’s trust bank accounts. Those funds are generated when anyone in NZ leaves funds with a lawyer for safe keeping. The Ministry of Justice and peak body Community Law Centres Aotearoa allocate some of these funds to services supporting access to justice, including 24 CLCs across New Zealand.
Our funding agreement sets out the geographic boundaries of our services and recommends financial eligibility criteria. You can learn how we apply our eligibility criteria here.
We are a not-for-profit incorporated society, registered with Charities Services and welcome donations to support our work.
Our board
Waitematā Community Law Centre Inc. is a Not-For-Profit governed by a Board drawn from the legal and community sectors of West and North West Auckland.
Our current Board members are:
Malcolm English (Chair)
David Houldsworth (Treasurer)
Stephanie Larkin
Megan Grimwood
David Vaeafe
Emma Moss
Heba Alloush
Nicole Browne
Rakesh Chopra