Mele Tuilotolava

Mele Tuilotolava, also known as Mary, is a Tongan-New Zealand lawyer. She was the first Pacific Islander to graduate in law from a New Zealand university.[1]

Tuilotolava graduated in law in 1982. In 1989 she opened her own legal practice in Manukau, Auckland, focusing on family court work and representing children in matters related to their care and protection, justice and guardianship.[2] One of her more high-profile cases was in 2009, when she was the defence lawyer for Lisa Kuka during her trial for the neglect of daughter Nia Glassie.[3]

Tuilotolava has also been active in mental health related issues. She has been a member of the National Ethics Committee for Health and Disability and was a Trustee of Ta Pasefika Primary Health Organisation, a major provider of health services in South Auckland and Auckland. until 2010.[2]

Tuilotolava was a member of the Pacific Peoples Focus Group at the Ministry of Justice for three years, finishing in 2002.[2] She has provided legal clinics at the Mangere Citizens’ Advice Bureau and on radio talkback shows. She is active in the Auckland District Law Society and is a member of the Pacific Lawyers Association and Manukau Lawyers Association.[4]

Tuilotolava has also been involved in a number of other Pacific Island community groups including the National Council of Tongan Women, the Tongan Women's Association, and the Auckland Pacific Island Community Radio Trust.[2]

References
  1. Schultz and Shaw, Ulrike and Gisela (2003). Women in the World's Legal Professions. Hart Publishing. p. 126.
  2. "First Annual Report to the Minister of Health from the National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Support Services Ethics" (PDF). December 2002. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  3. "Nia Glassie's mother to appeal further". Radio New Zealand. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  4. "St John's College Trust Board". St John's College Trust Board. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
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