Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation Announces 2025 March Round Fellows & Awardees
Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship
The Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship supports senior legal professionals to undertake ambitious, self-directed projects beyond their everyday roles. Fellows may use the award for salary replacement, research, travel, or any project-related costs that enable them to test new ideas and pioneer solutions in law. This year, the Borrin Foundation has chosen to support two recipients:
- Natalie Coates has been selected to receive a $120,000 Justice Fellowship to convene wānanga with leading tikanga experts and explore tikanga’s application in areas such as contract, torts, and legal ethics. The outcomes will include a filmed educational resource and a published article to help legal professionals and law schools engage with tikanga authentically and competently. Natalie is a barrister at Thorndon Chambers and a Pouako at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
- Dr Andrew Erueti has been selected to receive a $60,000 Justice Fellowship to undertake a scoping study on tino rangatiratanga in post-Treaty settlement Aotearoa. His research examines how Māori collectives might exercise meaningful authority in delivering health and child welfare services, guided by tikanga Māori and the relational models proposed in Matike Mai. Andrew is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and co-directs the Centre for Indigenous Rights.
Borrin Foundation – Community Law Fellowship
The Borrin Foundation – Community Law Fellowship supports legal practitioners based in Community Law Centres to lead innovative projects that improve access to justice and empower communities.
This year’s recipient is Meredith Herbert. Meredith has been selected to receive $52,400 through the Community Law Fellowship to support her PhD in Law at the University of Auckland. Her research explores systemic barriers in welfare and tenancy law that impede access to justice for vulnerable populations. Meredith works as a Solicitor and Registered Social Worker at the Rotorua District Community Law Centre, where she integrates legal advocacy and social support for clients navigating hardship.
Borrin Foundation Women Leaders in Law Fellowship
The Borrin Foundation Women Leaders in Law Fellowship supports women with over ten years’ experience in the legal profession to pursue leadership development, research, or other initiatives that enhance their impact. Fellows may use the funding for study, professional development or to pioneer solutions to legal issues. This year, the Borrin Foundation has chosen to support two recipients:
- Rachel Devine has been selected to receive $30,000 to participate in the Executive Leadership Program at Stanford University in March 2026, building on her experience in the Berkeley Technology Leadership programme. She will explore how environmental law, data, and leadership frameworks can combine to solve complex real-world problems. Rachel runs her own law practice and is a trusted adviser on sustainability, disaster law, and infrastructure.
- Genevieve Hancock has been selected to receive a $25,000 Fellowship to examine how Aotearoa’s legal frameworks can adapt to rapid technological change and better protect communities from online harm. Her project investigates regulatory gaps and opportunities for legal innovation that promote digital accountability and safety. Genevieve has over 20 years’ experience in technology law and currently serves as Convenor of the Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association.
Travel and Learning Awards
Travel and Learning Awards support legal professionals to broaden their thinking, learn from others, and bring new insights back to Aotearoa. The awards can be used for national or international travel (or virtual equivalents), with a focus on projects that align with the Foundation’s priorities in criminal justice, family law, and access to civil justice.
Seven Travel and Learning Awards were awarded in this year’s March round:
- Luke Elborough – $9,984 To attend the Center for Appellate Litigation as a legal fellow to observe their lawyers’ tactics and strategies to challenge wrongful convictions.
- Bridget Fa’amatuainu – $10,000 To travel to engage with UK, African and Pacific scholars on trauma-informed law reform.
- Oliver Fredrickson – $6,744 To complete an internship at the Centre for Justice Innovation in London.
- Anna High – $10,000 To travel to Chicago and Oxford to further her networks and expertise in the fields of: mindfulness as legal pedagogy; and mindfulness as a professional practice skill for lawyers.
- Thalia Kehoe Rowden – $7,500 To travel to South Africa and Ireland to build relationships focusing on human rights and justice system improvements.
- Mitchell McClenaghan – $10,000 To participate in the Visiting Professional Programme at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
- Leon Tan – $9,990 To travel to the UK and Australia to examine the barriers and enablers of incorporation of the UNCROC, to help inform incorporation in Aotearoa New Zealand in a way that is strategic, pragmatic and tailored to our circumstances.
Applications for the Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship, Community Law Fellowship and the Women Leaders in Law Fellowship are invited annually in March. Applications for the Travel and Learning Awards are invited twice a year.
Information on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here: https://www.borrinfoundation.nz/fellowshipsawards/
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MORE INFORMATION
The Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation was established in 2018 through a $38 million bequest by the late Judge Ian Borrin. It is a philanthropic organisation which supports legal research, education, and scholarship. The Foundation’s current strategic areas of focus are the criminal justice system, family law and access to civil justice.
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