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Godfreys Law

We’ve proudly been helping Cantabrians like you since 1870.

Our aim is to make your life easier.

We’re real people, providing real legal solutions.

Located at Level 3, 22 Moorhouse Ave, you will find plenty of parking, making it easy to come in and speak with us.

How can we help you? Godfreys Law can represent you personally, or your business, to find the best solution for you.

We love Christchurch, and believe in doing our bit to make this city a great place to live. Outside of our regular day jobs, the team at Godfreys Law fundraise and offer services and advice to worthy community organisations, including;

Citizens Advice Bureau, because everyone should have the confidence and support they need to get a fair outcome.

The Life Education Trust Canterbury, because all children should be empowered to live full and healthy lives.

Nurse Maude, because Cantabrians should be able to live out their days with dignity.

Zonta NZ, because we believe in the support and empowerment of NZ women and their families to help build a stronger and fairer society.

Dress for Success, because empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life, is beneficial for everyone.

We’re proud to support these fantastic organisations, as we make Christchurch and Canterbury a better place to live.

The firm was founded in about 1870, by a sole practitioner called Henry Slater. Slater was later joined in partnership by his son. In following years other partners included Williams, Frank Sargent, Frederick Dale, John Connal and John Holmes, who were all well known men in Christchurch in their day.

In 1950 Doug Godfrey joined the firm, which then became known as Sargent Connal Holmes & Godfrey. Doug Godfrey was joined by his brother Robert in 1960, and by Barry McNeil in 1969. Robert Godfrey went on to become a magistrate in Sydney.

Glenn Duncraft joined the firm in 1978, Jerald French in 1980, and Philip Sewell in 1986, taking over Doug Godfrey’s practice. Brad McDonald became a partner in 2008, and Jerald retired at the end of 2009. During this time the firm was known as Godfrey Duncraft and French, and now of course simply as Godfreys Law.

In 2024 we welcomed Sally Cunneen and Raajan Sami as partners, Philip Sewell remaining in the firm but as a Consultant. With Brad, Sally and Raajan at the helm, we look forward to the evolution and growth of Godfreys Law.

For many years the firm was located in premises in Hereford Street and in 1964, we moved to Armagh Court. Sadly we were forced to leave our badly damaged building in Armagh Court as a result of the Canterbury Earthquakes. We were based in Washington Way in Sydenham until 2024.

You can now find Godfreys Law at Level 3, 22 Moorhouse Ave.

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Cuningham Taylor Law

Proudly serving Christchurch for over a century, we blend modern approachability with traditional values, offering trusted legal support for every life stage.

We hold a strong and enduring connection to Christchurch’s history. Cuningham Taylor’s origins date back to 1909 when J R Cuningham, and 1907 G W C Smith founded their legal firms. Over the years, both firms grew and on 1 November 1987 Cuningham Taylor & Thomson, and Smithson Cleland Fountain and Gilroy merged, and Cuningham Taylor was formed.

Cuningham Taylor blends modern approachability with traditional values. We are a family-oriented firm offering all the specialisation of a big firm with the generalist skills of a smaller practice. Regardless of your stage in life, whether your business is large or small, we have people who can help you.

As an independent law firm we take pride in being transparent in all aspects of our business. We provide you with robust, clear-headed advice that takes into consideration all aspects of your situation and needs.

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Lawhub

A firm you can trust

Our team have been providing quality legal advice since 2017.

At Lawhub, we never lose sight of the fact that you don’t come to us because you want lawyers in your life: you come to us to help you achieve something that’s likely to be a major milestone in your life. Law is simply the tool we use to help you reach your goals, and it’s helping you achieve those goals that we’re passionate about.

Who we are
We are a team of professional, experienced lawyers with offices based in Christchurch and Hamilton.

Our purpose of steering people in their times of need — through the good and the bad — is driven by our passion of people, and doing what’s right for them and through our process of providing trusted advice, paired with a personality that is honest, genuine, innovative, straight-talking, personable and dedicated.

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Pier Law

Founded in 1996, Pier Law is a Christchurch law firm that provides comprehensive, client-centered legal services through the collective experience and expertise of our team.

Originating out of the seaside suburb of New Brighton, Pier Law remains to this day deeply rooted in its communities. The firm now has offices in three locations in Christchurch – New Brighton, Kaiapoi, and Northwood.

We’re proud of our reputation within the legal industry, which has been built by the actions of each individual team member, both past and present. Our team are committed to excellence, and show up every day and work hard to live up to our values.

Our mission at Pier Law is to redefine the approach to legal solutions through lasting connections. We are known for our commitment to our relationships with our clients. Our approach goes beyond providing legal services; we strive to build strong, enduring connections that transcend transactional interactions.

Our approachability as a firm and the compassionate nature of our team members plays a pivotal role in nurturing these relationships. We are accessible, empathetic, and responsive to the needs of our clients. We create a welcoming and supportive environment, and foster trust and loyalty that has proven to endure across generations.

This dedication to fostering deep connections is what distinguishes us in the legal landscape.

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Malley & Co Lawyers

For over 125 years, we have been a cornerstone in the Canterbury legal community, offering expert advice, pragmatic solutions, and unwavering support to our clients. Our long-standing history is a testament to our dedication and commitment to providing exceptional legal services. While we honour our rich heritage, we are also a modern, future-focused firm, continually evolving to meet the changing needs of our clients and the legal landscape.

At Malley & Co, our mission is to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape alongside our clients. We pride ourselves on our meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of our clients’ needs. Our goal is to ensure tailored solutions, tangible results, and peace of mind for every client we serve.

The pillars of our firm
At the heart of our firm are our partners, who bring decades of experience, exceptional leadership, and a deep commitment to our clients. Each partner not only leads their team but also plays an active role in every matter, ensuring that our high standards of service and expertise are consistently met. Their diverse backgrounds and specialised knowledge make them invaluable assets to both our firm and our clients.

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Johnston Law

Fuelled by her passion for people and her commitment to finding effective solutions for her clients, Julia founded Johnston Law in 2023. Renowned as a problem solver, Julia prides herself on delivering optimal outcomes for her clients, no matter the area of concern, while striving to simplify processes and minimise stress.

Julia’s extensive career encompasses roles at an international accounting firm, a “”big 4″” institution, a boutique tax law firm, and most recently as a partner at a mid-tier law firm, where she spearheaded the tax team and a branch office. Additionally, she has contributed her expertise to a large corporate recovery team at an international firm. This multifaceted background in law, commerce, and accounting equips Julia with a broad skill base to cater to her clients’ needs, whether it involves tax or relationship property matters. Known for her friendly and supportive demeanour, she focuses on practical solutions and simplifying complex issues, earning trust as a go-to problem solver for individuals, corporates, and advisors alike.

From a tax perspective, Julia assists clients and their advisors with all their tax advisory requirements with her experience spanning a wide array of cases, from assisting with structuring ventures in the property industry, providing advice on the correct tax and GST treatment of various transactions and guiding her clients through Inland Revenue instigated tax investigations, tax audits, risk reviews and settlement negotiations.

Passionate about migrant tax issues, she aids both inbound and outbound residents in navigating their New Zealand tax obligations to optimise tax efficiency across jurisdictions. As a migrant herself, Julia understands the complexities faced by migrants firsthand, and dedicates considerable effort to providing clear and practical advice and guidance. This foundation fosters a deep understanding of her clients’ circumstances, enabling her to continue advising on various aspects of tax law once they are established in New Zealand, whether commercial or otherwise.

Julia’s dedication to tax law has been consistently recognised over the years, both nationally and internationally. Her commitment began early, earning her the University of Canterbury’s top student award in Advanced Taxation in 2008 – a foundation that set the tone for her career. Under her leadership, Johnston Law was named Tax Law Firm of the Year – New Zealand at the 2025 APAC Legal Awards and received the 2025 APAC Insider Client Service Excellence Award. Johnston Law was also recognised as Best Migrant Tax Advisors – New Zealand in the 2025 Corporate Vision Corporate Excellence Awards in September 2025. Julia herself has been honoured as New Zealand Tax Lawyer of the Year for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) in the Finance Monthly Taxation Awards. In addition to her advisory work, she regularly speaks at seminars and conferences across New Zealand and internationally, sharing her expertise on various tax matters.

Julia’s extensive background in tax law not only enhances her understanding of complex financial matters, but also gives her a rare and distinctive ability to apply commercial insight to the intricate realm of relationship property law. This unique skill set enables her to navigate the nuances of tax and commercial implications and structuring within the context of property division and contractual agreements, offering clients a comprehensive and strategic approach to their relationship property matters.

Julia offers empathetic support during what can be emotionally and often distressing times. She takes a friendly, supportive approach while reaching a practical solution while aiming to simplify and clarify these often-complex matters.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Julia actively contributes to her community as a trustee of the Ara Foundation and the Hornby Day Care Trust for the Elderly, as well as serving as treasurer for an equestrian-based Incorporated Society. Outside of work, you will find Julia out riding/competing with one of her horses, spending time with her husband, family, and friends, or relaxing at home in Canterbury, New Zealand, alongside her beloved dogs and cat.​

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The Immigration Law Firm

We are highly trained in the field and totally dedicated to client service and successful applications.
Jerome Williamson and The Immigration Law Firm team are specialists in New Zealand immigration law.

Jerome is a Barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. He is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and the Canterbury District Law Society, which regulate and oversee his practice. He is also a member of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment.

We solely advise on New Zealand immigration matters. We are intimately familiar with the major New Zealand immigration statutes and regulations, published decisions of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, the New Zealand Courts and Immigration New Zealand’s Operational Manual of Immigration Policy, and the central record of Government Residence Policy.

Many of our immigration clients are referred to us by other law firms, which offer a more general and diversified range of legal services but who recognise that immigration is a highly specialised and complicated area of the law which should be handled by someone who knows what they are doing.

As experienced advocates, Jerome and the team are best able to persuasively argue (if necessary) the interpretation of that policy and present our client’s case or application in the best possible light; if something goes wrong with an application or if an appeal is required to one of the higher immigration tribunals (including a complaint to the Ombudsman’s Office), then we have considerable experience in preparing and presenting these appeals.

Of course, not all the services we provide are complicated or involve higher tribunals; our day-to-day work involves giving advice about standard applications for residence under all residence categories, preparing and presenting those applications to Immigration New Zealand, and ensuring a successful outcome.

We also handle all types of temporary visa applications, from the very simple to the highly complex.

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Rupert Ward Barrister

Rupert is happily married with a family of five children. A New Zealand and Dutch citizen, Mr Ward was educated in Christchurch, New Zealand. He loves Skiing, Tennis and the beach and has developed a 4 acre Historic Canterbury garden. A great grandson of Sir Joseph Ward, a past New Zealand Prime Minister, and a great(x2) nephew of Sir Patrick Jennings, past Premier of New South Wales, Australia, Mr Ward has an abiding interest in New Zealand and Australian history.

In addition to Rupert’s specialisation as one of New Zealand’s most experienced Immigration Lawyers, he uses his business and investment experience to help his clients achieve their objectives in the commercial arena and in family property disputes. Rupert is an active civil and criminal Legal aid provider. Rupert’s criminal practice demonstrates a particular interest in young offenders. Rupert also holds a practicing certificate as a Barrister in Queensland, Australia and is available for instruction regarding New Zealanders facing deportation risk in Queensland*. Possessing a keen social conscience Rupert was a Trustee of the Ka Wahine Trust, which was the only half-way home for freshly released woman prisoners in Canterbury to assist in their reintegration into society.

In addition to his native English, Rupert also speaks Dutch (conversational), French (basic conversational) and German (basic comprehension) languages.

Rupert lived in the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands whilst living in Europe for over 11 years where he worked in cooperation with Immigration New Zealand and as a trade development officer for the State Government of Queensland. He has worked in various European countries including Germany, Poland, Belgium and Switzerland.

Rupert has travelled to many Asian countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, China, Indonesia, India and the Middle East and Fiji.

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Young Hunter Lawyers

Some might say that starting a law firm in the middle of the Great Depression was an enormous gamble. It was one of many that Henry Austen Young took, and it worked. Young’s favourite saying was, “”There’s no such word as can’t.””

Established in 1932 by Henry Austen Young, Hugh Hunter joined the partnership 7 years later.

For the last 90 years, we have continued Young and Hunter’s legacy of investing in each other, thriving on the ambition of our clients, and giving back to our community.

While the world has changed, our values have remained the same, and we continue to share in the successes of our clients.

We welcome you to contact us and join us in being part of that ongoing success.

Integrity
Character counts. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair and reliable at all times.

Courage
We are courageous and fight for each other and our clients. We take risks and are brave, driven and bold.

Innovation
We are creative, challenge the status quo, and set ourselves apart from the rest by doing what others can’t.

Excellence
We strive for the highest quality of service and professionalism in everything we do.

Relationships
The relationships we have with each other, our clients and our community are key to everything we do.

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