Hannah Cuthill Barrister

03/01/2026

Our office has relocated to 7 Worley Place, suite 23

16/12/2025

Dates in 2026 are available now for our amazing FANZ course! If you want to understand Autism, this is a fantastic place to start. No matter who you are: parent, whanau, teacher or other professional, FANZ gives you wide-ranging insights into autism. Check out 2026 dates and book your place now: https://book.autismnz.org.nz/

03/10/2025

03/09/2025

A groundbreaking study using brain scans has revealed a disturbing parallel: children exposed to intense family conflict show brain changes similar to those found in combat veterans. That’s right — the emotional warfare inside a home can mimic the neurological toll of literal battlefield trauma.

Researchers found that kids who witness chronic yelling, aggressive arguments, or domestic tension have altered brain activity in areas linked to fear, stress, and emotional regulation. These are the same brain regions often affected in soldiers returning from war zones.

The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for processing threats and fear, becomes hypersensitive, constantly on alert. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, which helps manage emotions and make rational decisions, often becomes underdeveloped or impaired. This combination can lead to long-term emotional difficulties, anxiety, or even PTSD-like symptoms later in life.

What makes this even more alarming is that many families underestimate the impact of loud fights or emotional tension on children. But the science is clear: a child's brain is shaped by the emotional climate they grow up in.

This discovery highlights the urgent need for family therapy, safe environments, and emotional education to protect developing minds. Just because there are no visible bruises doesn’t mean the damage isn’t real.

14/02/2025

"There was a lot of valuable information that we didn't know or consider. We are now thinking very differently on how to better protect our daughter's future."

Abilityworx - Nan Jensen's popular disability legal webinars are back for 2025.

If you haven't attended Legal Issues in Education or Planning for Adulthood, register now for our March sessions.

This is your chance to get important information and ask an expert with lived experience about the legal framework in New Zealand and how this may affect your whānau.

For more information on the webinars, including dates and how to register, head to our event pages.

Legal Issues in Education: https://www.facebook.com/events/1698378284357254/

Planning for Adulthood: https://www.facebook.com/events/9222644371151660/

Image description: a blue tile with text reading "Upcoming webinars. Legal Issues in Education - 5 March, Planning for Adulthood - 27 March. With legal expert, Nan Jensen." There is an image of a man in a suit holding up a clipboard and a document with a pen to sign if. A photo of Nan Jensen is in the bottom right corner. She has short, light brown hair and wears glasses and a blue top.

30/01/2025

Unseen Heroes transforms the lives of young carers by providing holistic healing and creating an environment with opportunities to connect, heal, have fun, and learn.

22/01/2025

Are you looking for an introductory course to learn about autism?

Framework for Autism in New Zealand (FANZ) is the ideal course for autistic adults, family/whānau, or a professional working with autistic people.

In the two day course you'll increase your understanding of autism and learn practical strategies to enhance the lives and maximise opportunities for autistic kids and adults.

Maybe you or your loved one has been recently diagnosed. Maybe you're a teacher wanting to learn strategies to support neurodivergent students. Maybe you have autistic staff and you want to be the best manager you can be. Whatever the reason, FANZ is an excellent first step on your autism journey.

In 2025, we'll have in-person courses from Auckland to Dunedin, and everywhere in between. These courses do sell out, so make sure you register now by heading to https://autismnz.org.nz/programmes

02/10/2024

"Your online seminars are very useful and easy for my family to access. They provide a good opportunity to access professional advice."

If you haven't had a chance to attend one of Abilityworx - Nan Jensen's popular legal webinars, here's your opportunity.

Nan is running a Zoom webinar on legal issues in education on 16 October at 11:30am.

This is designed for parents of disabled students who are concerned with the support entitlement for their child in New Zealand mainstream or special schools.

This seminar explores enrolment rights, decision processes around special education, processes around an ORS funding decline, requests to parents for teacher aide funding contributions, requests to parents for funding for student support at extra-curricular camps and activities, stand-downs, use of restraint, and much more.

For more information, including how to register, head to our event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/844721354529484/

Image description: The lower half of a young student wearing a grey skirt, grey socks and black shoes, and holding a red schoolbag next to her feet. There is also an image of Nan Jensen smiling, who has short brown hair and glasses. Text reads "Legal Issues in Education, Webinar for parents of children in mainstream or specialist schools, With expert Nan Jensen, Wednesday 16 October, 11:30am - 2:00pm".

02/07/2024

If you are finding it difficult to navigate the Family Court - sign up for our webinar series.

5 webinars explain more about:
- The life of a Family Court file - 16 Oct
- Steps to resolution (including Parenting through resolution + Family Disputes Resolution) - 23 Oct
- Legal Aid - 30 Oct
- What is the Court saying? - 6 Nov
- Lawyer for child - 13 Nov

sign up free here: https://form.jotform.com/233036375767059

19/10/2023

This is a common issue raised in the Family Court - often a child’s behaviour can seem “worse” around a particular parent and the other parent can see that as something negative. In fact, it’s often evidence that this parent provides a safe space for a child to “unmask” and release their emotions

What is Restraint Collapse or the 'Coke Bottle Effect?' It describes the scenario where a neurodivergent person holds themself together all day at school or work, but finds themselves exploding at home like a coke bottle that’s been shaken all day.

We thought this would be a great term to highlight during .

Have you or someone you support experienced this? What are the strategies you use to calm down after a long day? We'd love to hear from you.

02/09/2023

Good luck to St Joseph’s Fairfield waterpolo, competing at AIMS Games in Tauranga this week