Community Law Fellow Digby Livingston

Digby is one of the inaugural Borrin Foundation – Community Law Fellows. He is examining the current situation of prisoner pay rates in Aotearoa New Zealand compared to jurisdictions overseas, to explore the feasibility of increasing prisoner pay rates.

Borrin Foundation - Community Law Fellowship

Digby’s plan

Digby will be examining the feasibility of increasing pay rates to prisoners in Aotearoa New Zealand, which currently range from $0.20 to $0.60 an hour. Digby will take six months to examine the current situation in Aotearoa New Zealand and comparative jurisdictions overseas. This will include outlining the situation in Aotearoa New Zealand, assessing statistical data, gathering qualitative stories of the impact on prisoners and considering the challenges and complexities of increasing prisoner wages.

 

About Digby

Ko Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rongowhakaata ngā iwi. Ko Digby tōku ingoa. Ko rōia hapori ahau. Kei Te Whanganui-a-Tara au e mahi ana.

Digby is a solicitor in Wellington with East Coast whakapapa. He graduated from Victoria University and the University of Lyon. He worked at Franks Ogilvie before moving to Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley and establishing his own firm, Livingston & Livingston, with his sister, Teddy Livingston. Digby runs a free legal advice clinic for Community Law at Remutaka Prison.

 

Grant Amount

$21,520 in 2021-2022

“I work for the community because many people supported me in my studies and I believe support must be paid forward.”

Digby Livingston