Heeni Phillips-Williams is a Barrister and has in the last 19 years practised criminal and civil law in
New Zealand as well as Fiji after the 2006 military coup. She has spent much time in the law giving
voice and assistance to those who have least power, championing civil liberties, and promoting
human rights and social justice. As Co
President of the Sir Peter Williams Penal Reform League, Heeni
organised yearly law conferences at
Russell with quality speakers for local lawyers and newspapers were organised for all prisons
throughout New Zealand in 2017. She has been an invited speaker on Maori media and international
panels regarding social justice issues, restorative justice and prison reform. With her appointment as a Visiting Justice in 2011 she presided over many Auckland prisoner
hearings when Corrections brought internal charges against their prisoners. The practice of natural
justice, fairness and an independent judge were important aspects of such hearings. Heeni is also a roster lawyer for mental health clients under the Mental Health Act whilst they are
detained at mental health facilities. Heeni studied law at the University of Auckland after completing a Master of Arts in Politics and
Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Maori Studies. Whilst at Law School she also started a branch of the
Maori Women’s Welfare League at Grey Lynn to focus on fundraising to purchase books for Motatau
and Matawaia Schools as well as improving the dilapidated marae facilities at Motatau. As a school teacher after leaving Hukarere Girls she coached sports teams and was teacher in charge
of Maori and Pacific Island Cultural groups at Glenfield College. Her interest in real estate selling was
a short stint in Auckland’s inner city and before she returned to university. She sees her re-entry into politics as a foot soldier for New Zealand First to enable Winston Peters
and his team to return to Parliament at a time his solid all round experience as a politician and legal
background is much needed for our country to make progress nationally, globally and with a good
dose of common sense.
