Rita Adams

Rita’s interest in conflict resolution began about 25 years ago, when she taught a course on understanding the role of language in conflict to law students at Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Her extensive working experience in New Zealand and overseas taught her the importance of wider social and cultural factors in understanding the nature of a conflict. Rita’s work in the NGO sector provided her with valuable experience in working with vulnerable clients, particularly women and children affected by family violence.

She places a great value on education, and she holds two postgraduate degrees, one in linguistics and one in psychology, which gives her the knowledge to navigate the complex world of dispute resolution. Rita is experienced in resolving family disputes, including immediate and extended family issues, as well as conflicts in re-partnered and blended families. She is known for empathic listening and maintaining neutrality while guiding clients through challenging situations.

Rita shares her time between Whanganui and Paekākāriki, and in her spare time, she can be found giving motivational speeches to her two teenage sons. She also enjoys giving mini lectures on adversarial versus collaborative communication styles to her daughter, who studies law at Victoria University. Rita is available for face-to-face mediations in Manawatu, Taranaki and Wellington regions, and is available to provide online mediations nationwide.