Ruby Schaumkel

Ruby is of Tongan, European and Chinese descent with an extensive career in law and policy in New Zealand and abroad.

She has expertise in general areas of law and has been admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand since 1997.

Ruby has a wide range of commercial and community experience. As a former elected member of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), she helped progress a wide range of local initiatives and contributed to region-wide plans and policies. She has strong board governance experience and dispute resolution.

Ruby has a practical approach to solving issues. She listens to her clients and provides an approach for reaching agreements that best suit the needs of the client. Ruby has an interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including Te Ao Māori, Tikanga principles and Pacifica practices through Talanoa respecting Relational spaces.

In the New Zealander of the Year Awards 2014 she received the Local Hero Award for community involvement. Ruby also received the Simpson & Grierson Internship Award for Promising Pacific Island Woman Law Student. She is fluent in Tongan, both written and spoken.