Commercial Mediator

Negotiator 

Reviews
Advocacy
Inquiries

Introducing Dame Carolyn, a retired District Court Judge.

A visionary leader renowned for her remarkable ability to bring people together. From orchestrating prestigious international conferences, including Women Judges of the World and Trans-Tasman Professional Theatre Symposiums, to serving as a senior judge for over 37 years, her wealth of experience shines through.

Dame Carolyn’s approach is rooted in the art of listening, ensuring that every voice is heard. With a distinguished career spanning government reviews, company directorships, and production roles, she is a skilled negotiator and problem solver.

Known for her intelligence, fairness, and talent, Dame Carolyn connects effortlessly with people from all walks of life.

  • Dame Carolyn is setting up her practice as a commercial mediator. Her breadth of experience means she does not limit herself to any special area of dispute resolution

    Choosing instead to be available for all types of disputes and for those who seek a way to resolve litigation or avoid potential litigation. She is well qualified for the role after 3 decades of exposure to disputes in the District Court. Dame Carolyn has also obtained

    Certificates from LEADR and Harvard Law school.

  • Dame Carolyn has conducted reviews throughout her career, including government reviews, public body reviews, and those in the education sector. She is familiar with leading a team as required.

  • As Chair of the Henwood Trust Dame Carolyn has initiated research and investigations into Justice matters and with the help of the Law Foundation has published work.

    On Youth Justice matters and the Justice sector and the impact it has on young people including rangatahi Maori. What sits behind the offending and the cross-over from state care to crime.

  • Dame Carolyn has been a tireless advocate for better outcome for young offenders,

    She played a key role in the writing of “A Covenant for Our Nations children” signed at Hopu hopu in 2016 at an iwi Chairs Hui.

     She is an experienced advocate, engaging with Ministers, government departments, community leaders over many years.

    She also is a strong and successful advocate for Theatre artists and established the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust in 1987 and raised substantial funds for that trust and for Circa Theatre Wellington.

  • Dame Carolyn has undertaken study at Harvard Law School on negotiation.

    She has considerable skills and experience in bringing the community together to negotiate a shared vision. She chaired the confidential listening and assistance service, in Internal affairs.

    Bringing 1100 New Zealanders forward to share concerns about their time in State care as children and formulating an individual outcome for each of them to improve their lives.

  • Dame Carolyn is available to Chair Inquiries.

    7 years as the Chair of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service an independent body located in Internal Affairs has given her deep innovative experience as it was similar to an inquiry into the State sector care of children.

    It was likened to a Truth and Reconciliation model a new initiative for New Zealand.

Services

Sectors

Dame Carolyn is available for mediation services throughout New Zealand but more often in Wellington and Auckland. She offers confidential services conducted with respect and dignity rooted in the art of Listening. The goal is to identify the issues at the heart of the dispute and work with the parties to achieve a satisfactory resolution.

When the dispute is resolved, a plan will be formulated with the parties and or their lawyers to see that plan implemented.

Any business or individual who wishes to engage Dame Carolyn for her mediation services will be sent an agreement to consider. This agreement will set out the terms of engagement, charges and other conditions.

Other services offered by Dame Carolyn can be negotiated on a case by case basis.


Commercial and Private Matters


Employment Disputes




Governance/Organisational



Arts & Film