Our Governance
Maa mua ka kite a muri; Maa muri ka ora a mua.
“Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead”
-Whakatauki (maaori proverb)
CHAIRPERSON - Dr. Susan Thompson - MA (History), BTheol (Theology), PhD (Theology)
Susan joined the Board of Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato, in 2013. Born in Christchurch, she trained as a Methodist minister in Auckland, was ordained in 1994 and has lived in Hamilton since 2002. She completed doctoral studies at the University of Auckland in 2002 and has a continuing interest in New Zealand history. Susan is an advocate for the acceptance and equality of LGBTQ people in church and society. She is active in the Waikato Interfaith Council and has just started learning Te Reo Maori. She is currently working as Superintendent of the Waikato-Waiariki Methodist Synod.
TREASURER and DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Dave McEwen
Dave joined the Board in 1999 and serves as the Board Treasurer and Deputy Chairperson. Dave brings a wealth of experience from his background in the RNZAF and as an accountant in the private sector.
TRUSTEE - Jaydene Kana CA
Jaydene is a Chartered Accountant with extensive public and private sector commercial and leadership experience, through her roles based in New Zealand and overseas. who has served in a variety of iwi, not-for-profit, public sector and private sector governance and leadership roles. Born in Hamilton Kirikiriroa, her career has taken her around New Zealand and the world, including eight years with the United Nations in Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, and the United States.
Jaydene is one of the Waikato-Tainui representative Trustees and joined the Board in 2021. Jaydene has a particular interest in strengthening the relationship between CLW and Waikato-Tainui, with a focus on access to justice for those in need, especially Maaori.
Kylee Katipo LLB / MIndS
Kylee was welcomed to the Board of Community Law Waikato - Te Tari Ture aa-Hapori o Waikato in 2024. Kylee a Director with McCaw Lewis Lawyers and has extensive experience in Maaori Land and Te Tiriti o Waitangi matters and providing legal and strategic advice to Ahu Trusts, Maaori Incorporations, Whaanau Trusts and Beneficial Owners of Maaori Land across Aotearoa.
Raised at Te Kauwhata, Kylee has a strong interest in community causes, previously assisting young people as a Career Navigator Mentor at the Graeme Dingle Foundation, and working with tauira at Waikato University. Kylee is also a Trustee for the McCaw Lewis Foundation supporting Waikato children in need.
TRUSTEE
David Allan - LLB
David is a barrister, admitted to the bar in 1995 and has served as Trustee on the Board since 2017. His legal areas of interest include criminal, mental health, intellectual disability, and parole. David has a particular interest in improving the interview method of lawyers across the whole criminal justice system.
TRUSTEE
Ethan Jerome-Leota LLB
Ethan is a solicitor, admitted to the Bar in 2018 and joined the Board in April 2021. Ethan is one of the Waikato-Tainui representative Trustees. His legal areas of interest include Treaty Settlements, Environmental law and Intellectual Property. Ethan has a particular interest in strengthening the relationship between CLW and Waikato-Tainui. More importantly, he is passionate about access to justice for all and supporting the education seminars facilitated by CLW.
Ethan wants to make a positive impact on future generations.
Truc Tran - LLB / Grad.Dip (Econ) / Grad.Dip(Fin)
Truc is a barrister at Riverbank Chambers. Truc has a wealth of experience as a trial lawyer in both criminal and civil/commercial litigation having previously worked as a Crown prosecutor for the Crown Solicitor’s Offices in Hamilton and Palmerston North and as a litigator for the Financial Markets Authority. Truc’s practice is primarily focused on criminal defence and proceeds of crime cases.
In addition to his busy practice, Truc serves as the Deputy Chair of the Social Security Appeal Authority and holds various governance and quasi-judicial roles. Truc is also a member of the Whanganui Crown Prosecution Panel.
Truc joined the CLW board in 2024.
