Rosaline Fuata’i

I am Samoan and a lawyer currently practicing as a Barrister and Mediator in Manukau, south Auckland. As a mediator I am contracted to Fair Way in the Family Dispute Resolution space. I also receive private referrals to convene mediations.

My legal practice is in the family law jurisdiction where I am instructed by parties re court proceedings. I also accept instructions from the court to act for children and assist the court where required by the law.

In the alternative dispute resolution area I am very interested in working with Pacific people and utilizing some of our Pacific concepts and methods to resolving conflict. I try to use the same approach in my family court work aiming to reach consensus as much as practicable, always mindful of the legal parameters.

I enjoy my work in the mental health, intellectual disability and addictions space. It is a privilege and instructive experience working with tangata whaiora, tangata whaikaha and their whanau to enhance my own life experience.

I am presently involved with the Abuse In Care work. The most valuable lessons (not new but more strongly emphasised) for me at this stage of my career are the insights and extreme challenges in the lives of disabled people resulting from colonization, racism and eurocentric approaches by people in power, crown agencies and faith based organisations. To link it back to our mahi, it is pivotal to empower the voices of people seeking help and devising inclusive systems that are culturally appropriate. It is a very poignant personal experience for me.