Helenā Kaho

Helenā began her career practicing law in the Cook Islands and in 2015 became the University of Auckland’s first Pacific legal academic. She was appointed as Associate Dean (Pacific) and has published her research in the New Zealand Law Review and the New Zealand Women’s Law Journal.

Helenā subsequently worked as an Employment mediator for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and then as an Investigator in the Pacific Investigation team for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. In 2020 Helenā was appointed to the Disputes Tribunal as an adjudicator.

Helenā is of Tongan and Cornish descent and throughout her career she has gravitated towards her passion; working with Pacific people and communities. She is conversant in basic ‘lea fakaTonga’ - Tongan language - and due to her experiences growing up, having spent time at school in Tonga, possesses a unique ability to ‘walk between worlds;’ capturing and conveying cultural dynamics and differences in an insightful and persuasive way.

A natural communicator, she is adept at facilitating mediations in a wide range of contexts. She employs a relational approach in her work that acknowledges the importance of relationships and the impact of conflict. She creates opportunities for resolution, working alongside the parties to find their commonalities, and allowing them to express their grievances and views in a safe environment.

Helenā is a director and co-founder of HIVA ADR Consultancy Ltd (HIVA). The HIVĀ teamwork with a Pacific lens, sharing their expertise within the ADR space in mediation, restorative justice, peace and conflict, academia and research in areas of conflict management. (www.hiva.co.nz).