David completed his degree in law and Māori studies at Victoria University in the 1990’s before leaving to travel the world and work overseas. David worked in the Corporate Services team of investment bank Morgan Stanley at Canary Wharf in London (formerly Morgan Stanley Dean Witter). 

David returned to New Zealand and began working as a barrister for 16 years before changing to a solicitor. David became the director of Te Mata Law in 2017.  

David is passionate about social justice issues and achieving equity and equality for all before the law, particularly the impoverished and oppressed.  This work was best illustrated by him bringing (and winning) the Oranga Tamariki Urgency case; presenting the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (FASD) case and being the first lawyer to successfully present a case that resulted in the Waitangi Tribunal finding that a land development scheme constituted a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles.  

David is a negotiator for Tainui-Waikato as they organise Settlement from the Crown for the West Coast Harbour Claims. 

David is a trustee on several trusts including post-settlement governance entities, hapū and marae trusts.

David has extensive commercial experience which he has used to develop not only his own extensive property portfolio, but also to help Māori achieve their housing aspirations in securing their first homes and papakainga developments.

When David is not working he has a passion for boxing and classic ‘muscle cars’ and is a member of the GT Falcon Club.  His pride and joy is his genuine 1974 XB GT Falcon.

Catherine completed a Bachelor of Law and Arts with a double major in Pacific Studies and Anthropology from the University of Auckland in 2010.  After a year of travel and becoming a mum, Catherine started with Te Mata Law in 2013 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor the same year. 

In 2020 Catherine was offered partnership at Te Mata Law where she oversees the work of the firm with Principal David Stone. 

Catherine has gained extensive experience appearing before the Waitangi Tribunal in a number of District inquiries and Urgent inquiries including the Wai 2915 Oranga Tamariki Urgent Inquiry. 

Catherine has appeared before the High Court in relation to Marine and Coastal Area Act applications for customary marine title and protected customary rights. She has also appeared in the Maori Land Court, and has provided advice to hapu and whanau involved in Maori Land Court proceedings and the return of land under the Public Works Act.

Catherine has appeared before the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historical claims of state abuse in care and is an approved provider for this Inquiry.

Catherine leads the Immigration law team for Te Mata Law, and has enjoyed helping the diverse range of applicants who have sought our assistance and had their visa applications approved.

Outside of work Catherine enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing touch and visiting local parks with her kids. During lockdown Catherine and her whanau started a not for profit group who seek to support West Auckland children who are in need of additional material support.

Azania started working for Te Mata Law in 2020 and appears in the Waitangi Tribunal and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into State Abuse and is part of the Immigration Team. 

Azania was born and raised in the King Country and completed her LLB degree at the University of Waikato.  Since graduating in 2012 Azania has worked In-house, overseas in the USA and for a small boutique firm in Auckland practicing Commercial, Company, Litigation and IP Law. 

Azania's hope is that the law and its legal systems become more accessible, affordable and user friendly.  

Matthew joined Te Mata Law in January 2021, shortly after being admitted in November 2020.

Matthew has worked on a number of Waitangi Inquiries including the Housing Inquiry and the North-Eastern Bay of Plenty District Inquiry. Matthew is also involved in Immigration, particularly Resident and Work Visas applications. Matthew enjoys relaxing weekends and playing touch football and rugby.

Paige is a lawyer with whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu and Rakaipaaka. 

Paige studied an LLB at Auckland University of Technology to pursue her passion in indigenous law and human rights. 

When Paige is not working, she enjoys spending time with her whānau engaging with the community and hiking and exploring Aotearoa.

Harry is a lawyer from Auckland and Tauranga and his Iwi are Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi and Ngāti Uenuku-Kopako.  His hapū is Ngāti Te Ahi from Harini Marae.  Harry moved to Auckland in 2020 to work for Te Mata Law and pursue his dream of using his degree to further Māori interests after studying an LLB/Bcom at Victoria University.  While studying he worked as a social media manager and reporter covering Select Committees at parliament.  When he's not working Harry enjoys fishing, diving and playing rugby.

Harry has worked on the Ngāti Te Wehi Marine and Coastal area application in the High Court as well as a number of Waitangi Tribunal Inquiries including the WAI 2660 Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Inquiry, the Wai 2500 Military Veterans Inquiry and the Wai 2575 Health Inquiry. Harry has also worked with Survivors of State Care in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

Cherry is the Te Mata Law Practice Manager and has been with Te Mata since January 2015. She is the go to person for all administration and keeps the office running smoothly. Cherry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines. 

Cherry also graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management- level 8 from AIS Auckland, New Zealand.

Cherry and her family live locally. She loves dancing and spending time with dog Griffin.

Romy is a final year Law and Global Studies student at the University of Auckland. She grew up in Wellington and moved to Auckland to study in 2019. She has a passion for making the law work better for people and the environment in Aotearoa.

She loves books, being outdoors, and eating vegan food with family and friends.