The Best Criminal
The Fastest way to Find Tauranga’s Best Criminal Lawyers.
We’ll help you:
- Identify the top Criminal lawyers who are ready to help you
- Shortlist the best of the best in your area
- Show you how to get in touch today
- Avoid wasting time searching and scrolling
The 10 Best Criminal
Lawyers In Tauranga
We Have Listed The Top 10 Criminal Lawyer In Tauranga To Help You Choose The Best Professional Criminal Lawyer For Your Needs.

Address:
36 Willow Street PO Box 13007 Tauranga 3141
Phone: 07 579 0405
Website: taurangachambers.co.nz
Tauranga Chambers
Three lawyers with over four decades of experience, passionate about helping people resolve challenging legal situations.
Tauranga Chambers was originally founded in 2000 and is renowned for its expertise in criminal, tax, traffic and employment law, as well as helping clients who stand to lose assets under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
The firm’s three lawyers – Bill Nabney, Rita Nabney and David Weaver – have over four decades of legal experience between them and have been at the helm of Tauranga Chambers since 2011.
They’re based in what’s believed to be one of Tauranga’s oldest buildings (36 Willow St) and are passionate about helping people resolve challenging, and often daunting, legal situations.
Each lawyer has specialist skills and they’re all committed to going the extra mile for their clients. Thorough preparation and attention to detail, combined with experience and knowledge, is the key to achieving the best possible outcome in each and every case.
So if you need a Tauranga lawyer and want your legal concerns to be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible, give Tauranga Chambers a call.
Thorough preparation and attention to detail, combined with experience and knowledge, is the key to achieving the best possible outcome in each and every case.

Hine Eagle
Hine Eagle Ltd is a well-regarded boutique law firm located in the heart of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.
We are committed to providing effective advice to our clients.
Our team specialises in Family Law, Criminal law, and Conveyancing with top practitioners in each field, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
Our team is committed to helping you through complex and challenging times.
Hine Eagle are experts when it comes to Family Law. Managing the Family Court can be extremely overwhelming for most people. Its personal and emotional and you need solid advice and representation going through that process.
Hine Eagle have a number of experienced family lawyers who can guide you through that process while making you feel informed and supported throughout. We can assist with parenting, domestic/family violence, Oranga Tamariki matters, guardianship disputes, family protection matters and many more aspects of family law- give us a call to see if we can help.
Hine Eagle are experienced Conveyancing Practitioners.
We know that it can be confusing and sometimes stressful when entering into a contract. Our team will guide you through every step of the buy, sell, or refinance of mortgage transaction.
We assist with early stages such as entering into the contract, right through to completion and settlement, which includes the change of land ownership and transfer of settlement funds via our trust account.

Pawson Law
David Pawson is an experienced lawyer based in in the Bay of Plenty, with a background in Criminal law/investigation and Transportation.
During a period of 14 years as a Senior Prosecutor and 6 years as a Defence lawyer, he has dealt with a wide range of matters including Murder, serious violence, drugs, fraud, Coroners Inquests, health and safety prosecutions involving fatalities or serious injuries.
In total, he has over 30 years of experience directly connected to operational roles such as a Forestry advisor with MAF (Indigenous Forestry Unit), New Zealand Customs Service and New Zealand Army, (Royal New Zealand Military Police – Special Investigation Branch).
David has recent appeal experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Court Martial Appeal Court.
Eleanor has a LLB/BA conjoint degree from Auckland University with a background as a law clerk for a Manukau-based criminal lawyer. Eleanor started with Pawson Law in 2021. She is personable, determined and gets great results for our clients. Eleanor’s skills in legal research and drafting provide a solid basis for Court applications such as ‘discharge without conviction’ applications for which she has achieved many fantastic results. Ellie has a number of years as a trial lawyer in both the Judge Alone and Jury jurisdiction, and appears regulary for employment matters at Mediation, the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Court of appeal. Ellie is a fantastic appellant lawyer where your matter needs to ‘go higher’.
Rebecca is the Personal Assistant to David and Ellie and is also a qualified lawyer that attends court. She obtained her law degree in the UK working in Clinical Negligence. She was admitted to the bar and moved to New Zealand in 2014 and has in-court experience.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”

Address:
Monmouth House Level 1 41 Monmouth Street Tauranga, New Zealand
Phone: 64 7 928 9000
Website: bchlaw.co.nz
Burley Castle Hawkins Lawyers
Burley Castle Hawkins Lawyers are a friendly, highly regarded and well established law firm located in Tauranga and Te Puke, Bay of Plenty New Zealand. Our team of qualified solicitors are specialists in a range of services listed below. Our solicitors are supported by skilled legal secretaries, practice managers and administrators to ensure your business, property, litigation and family law matters are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
We provide a full business law service. This starts with the choice in structuring your business ownership. With at least seven different types of commercial structure, we will advise on the one that best suits your business and long term strategy.
If you are looking for clear and cost effective legal advice in relation to a Family Law issue, please call one of our family advisors. If you find yourself in a position where you are unable to pay for important legal services there may be Legal Aid we can help you apply for.

Address:
27 Spring St, Tauranga, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Phone: 022 027 2171
Website: bensmith.nz
Ben Smith Barrister
For twenty years Ben has helped people in cases involving all types of serious allegations including murder and manslaughter, drug dealing and importation, financial and regulatory prosecutions, violence, and sexual allegations.
He has been lead counsel in more than a hundred jury trials. He has appeared in thousands of hearings, which have dealt with bail, name suppression, discharge without conviction, sentencing, parole, and appeals.
He has a track record of getting results when it matters most.
Ben Smith is based in Tauranga, but appears in courts throughout New Zealand, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Being charged with a crime is a shock. The road ahead is confusing and overwhelming. The consequences are life changing.
To get the best outcome you need an experienced, specialist defence lawyer who knows the law, and who knows their way around the court. You need a lawyer who is sharp, meticulous, persuasive and forceful. You need a lawyer you know is on your side, and who you know will fight for you.

Viv Winiata Barrister
Viv Winiata is an established Barrister specialising in traffic and criminal law, based in Tauranga. Viv completed his law degree at the University of Auckland in 1990 and is a very experienced advocate having acted in a wide range of proceedings throughout the Bay of Plenty area and elsewhere since 1991.
He can offer professional, practical and cost-effective advice on a range of relevant legal issues and will provide you with competent and effective representation.
With 34 years’ experience from a wide variety of criminal and traffic cases, Viv can provide professional, prompt and affordable help with criminal and traffic charges, including a Limited Licence to get you back on the road driving if you have lost your Driver Licence through disqualification or demerits suspension.
Traffic offences – drink or drug driving, dangerous or reckless or careless driving (including causing injury or death), sustained loss of traction or illegal street racing, driving while disqualified or suspended, vehicle impounding or confiscation and sale, truck driving & logbook offences, and Limited Licence (“”Work Licence””) applications.
Drug charges – possession for sale or supply, selling, cultivation, manufacturing, conspiracy.
Violence – assault, injuring, wounding, threatening, breaches of Protection Orders.
Dishonesty & property offences – theft, benefit or insurance fraud, burglary, car conversion, arson, wilful damage.

Lance Lawson Limited
Lance Lawson Limited (incorporating Beachside Legal) is an all-service law firm with offices located in Rotorua and Mount Maunganui. We provide legal services throughout the Bay of Plenty, including criminal, family, dispute resolution, private client, legal aid, estate planning, asset protection and property and commercial transactions.
Our team share a commitment to offering a complete resolution service, including proactive advice to resolve problems early. We have trusted advisors available with broad ranging experience in civil and criminal law, litigation, property and other asset issues, family law, employment, Māori land and mediation.
As an all-service law firm, we have a breadth of experience in a wide range of key areas. We are proud to offer an outstanding team of experts and we know our clients value our client-focused, results-driven approach. We have the expertise to advise you of your legal rights and obligations to others and tailor a solution to suit your needs.

Rachel Adams Barrister
We are a boutique criminal and family law firm located in the CBD of Tauranga. We provide high quality legal advice and representation. We are devoted to delivering the best outcomes for our clients and always strive to provide an exceptional level of service.
We understand now more than ever, in these trying times, the pressures and stress people are going through and we will always ensure that you are provided with the high-quality legal representation that you deserve.
Our team of lawyers and support staff will always handle your matter with great care and professionalism. You can trust us to do our best to achieve the desired result.
We will keep you informed every step of the way as we work hard to achieve the best outcome for your matter.
Rachael Adams, Barrister, was admitted to the bar in 1984 and practices predominantly in the areas of family and criminal work. She is Lawyer for Child, a Youth Advocate, prosecutes for the SPCA, and is a current committee member of the Criminal Bar Association.
Legal aid is government funding provided for people who cannot afford to pay privately for a lawyer. Talk to us to discuss your eligibility for legal aid.
All of our lawyers are registered legal aid providers.
“”Loyal, Vigilant, Empathetic, Noble, Devoted & Trustworthy””
These are the attributes that cultivate success at our firm.

Address:
Suite 3, 30 Willow Street Tauranga 3110
Phone: 64 7 571 2447
Website: katesheppardchambers.co.nz
Kate Sheppard Chambers
Admitted to the bar in 2000, Genevieve has over 21 years of litigation experience both in New Zealand and Australia working in private practice and as a Barrister sole.
While having a broad litigation background in both civil and criminal law, Genevieve has particular experience in civil, criminal and family appeals, relationship property disputes and coronial inquiries – both as representative for interested parties and as counsel to assist. Genevieve acts for clients from around New Zealand and has a primary practice base in Tauranga and Te Puke.
Genevieve is an adaptable and experienced advocate having acted in matters subject to both inquisitorial and adversarial processes, including the Tenancy Tribunal, Employment Relations Authority, the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal and courts, including the Employment, Coroner’s Court, District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Genevieve is a legal aid provider for criminal (PAL1 and Duty Lawyer) and civil matters and is also an approved senior lawyer on the Royal Commission Abuse in Care Legal Assistance Panel.
In addition to her legal work Genevieve has extensive Governance experience and over the last 11 years has served on numerous not for profit boards including the Restorative Justice Trust, Tatai Ora and currently the Whanganui Collegiate Trust Board. She is also an elected member and one of four Vice Presidents of the New Zealand Bar Association/Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture.
Genevieve is also a regular contributor to the New Zealand Bar Association/Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture publication At the Bar.

Address:
Level 11, Diabetes New Zealand House 15 Murphy Street Wellington 6011
Phone: 64 4 495 9999
Website: kahuilegal.co.nz
Kāhui Legal
KĀHUI LEGAL is a specialist law firm working at the forefront of Māori development with unparalleled experience and expertise in legal issues that affect Māori and the interface between iwi and Māori organisations and the Crown, local government and other entities. We specialise in providing legal services in areas including Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlement negotiations, governance, litigation and dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, public law, resource management, criminal law, Māori land law, regulatory compliance, indigenous intellectual property rights, mātauranga Māori protection and recognition, Māori intellectual property and trade mark strategy and protection.
KĀHUI LEGAL was established as a legal partnership in 2003. Our experts come from a range of legal backgrounds, including from the senior ranks of large corporate law firms. Our senior lawyers are recognised experts in their fields and are supported by a team of specialist solicitors.
Our goal is to provide specialist legal services of the highest quality that advance the Māori economy and the future wellbeing of Māori. We are driven to ensure our clients receive the very best advice and achieve their desired outcomes.
