Borrin Foundation – Community Law Fellowship for Meredith Herbert
Supporting Meredith to pursue a PhD in Law at the University of Auckland to explore the systemic barriers in welfare and tenancy laws that impede access to justice.
Borrin Foundation - Community Law Fellowship
Meredith’s plan
Meredith is currently undertaking a PhD in Law at the University of Auckland, with her thesis examining system deficiencies at the intersection of private law and social policy, specifically, barriers to equitable access to justice in welfare and tenancy law. As part of this research, she will conduct comparative analysis of welfare and tenancy systems internationally, including in Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as domestic research into the impacts of these systems on New Zealand’s most vulnerable populations.
With the support of the Borrin Foundation Community Law Fellowship, Meredith can dedicate herself fully to advancing practical reforms that strengthen access to justice and reduce inequities in welfare and tenancy law. Her work seeks to amplify the voices of those most affected by systemic shortcomings, with the ultimate goal of contributing to more inclusive and fair legal frameworks in Aotearoa New Zealand.
About Meredith
Meredith is a practising solicitor in both New Zealand and Australia. She currently works as a Solicitor and Registered Social Worker at the Rotorua District Community Law Centre. Passionate about access to justice for those impacted by poverty and inequality, she focuses her practice particularly in the areas of tenancy and welfare law.
Her approach to her practice is informed by her own lived experiences of overcoming significant challenges, which have shaped her strong sense of empathy and her commitment to standing alongside people who often feel powerless within legal and social systems. By combining her legal expertise with her background in social work, Meredith brings a holistic perspective to advocacy, ensuring her clients receive not only effective legal representation but also compassionate, practical support. She is dedicated to empowering individuals to navigate barriers, assert their rights, and create pathways towards lasting change.
Grant Amount
$52,400 in 2025-2026
“Iti rearea teitei kahikatea ka taea”: Although small, you can ascend great heights. The support of the Borrin Foundation feels like someone has wrapped a korowai around my shoulders and said: ‘Ae Meredith, you are small, but we believe in you. You can and will make a big difference through this mahi we are supporting.”