Prue Kapua

President, Maori Women`s Welfare League

Principal of Tamatekapua Law and grew up in Rotorua, graduating from the University of Auckland in 1982 with a BA/LL.B.  From 1988, she acted as an advisor (primarily involving Treaty issues and resource management) for Sir Geoffrey Palmer, the then Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister.

Prue’s practice predominantly involves Maori Land Law and Tiriti o Waitangi, Resource Management, Family and Medico legal issues.  She has extensive resource management litigation experience, from Hearing Committees to the Court of Appeal, including consent and planning issues.

Prue is one of only four External Specialist Advisers to the Legal Services Agency in respect of Waitangi Tribunal claims, and has acted for claimants in the Urewera, Gisborne and Wairarapa inquiries.  She is currently representing claimants in Te Paparahi o te Raki Inquiry.  She also advised the Waitangi Tribunal on resource management issues in the Whanganui River claim.

Prue was a member of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority, Deputy Chair of the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and a director of First Health NZ Ltd (a Southern Cross NZ Ltd subsidiary).  In 2000 the Minister of Health appointed her to represent the interests of Maori women in the Gisborne Cervical Cancer Inquiry.  She also advised the Ministry of Health on its Treaty policy in respect of a national screening programme.  She is a member of the Ministry of Health’s National Kaitiaki Group and is chair of the Compliance Panel of International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk substitutes in New Zealand.

Prue is a director on Te Wai Maori Trustee Ltd – the freshwater fisheries arm of Te Ohu Kaimoana (Maori Fisheries Trust).

Prue is committed to Maori Legal issues and providing accessible, effective and friendly service to her clients. She enjoys being able to provide practical solutions that meet her clients’ needs.  On the home front Prue gains great fulfilment out of viewing and collecting pieces of Art particularly from Maori and New Zealand Artists.