Frank Hippolite

Senior Solicitor: Te Puni Kōkiri

I am currently a Senior Solicitor at Te Puni Kōkiri/ the Ministry of Māori Development in Wellington.

I have worked as a Manager of the Ngai Tahu Law Centre, where I appeared in all the Māori Land Courts in Te Waipounamu. I have been a senior solicitor for Te Tumu Paeroa appearing in all the Maori Land courts in the North Island. I have managed an iwi owned environmental company protecting Māori environmental interests for Iwi of Te Tau Ihu.

A career in the public service appealed to me because it allows me to contribute to and facilitate the work of Māori development.

Joining Te Puni Kōkiri in the public service was a natural progression in my legal career. Working at Te Puni Kōkiri allows me to realise my passion of supporting Māori development while keeping the Ministry and the Minister safe from legal risk that may potentially become a political risk. I especially enjoy the whanaungatanga and team work culture in the Ministry which allows me to expand my networks.

Our Manager is very experienced and has been with Te Puni Kōkiri longer than most staff, she is able to guide us and lead us applying her deep knowledge of the Ministry and the Public Sector. As a public sector legal team, we occasionally instruct Crown Law and can network with the Crown Law team.

At Te Puni Kōkiri we have a TPK way of doing things. We come together when one of us has a bereavement and we participate in a culturally appropriate way.

We welcome new staff with a mihi or a pōwhiri and exercise the richness of our culture in the poroporoakī when a staff member leaves.

Legal work in the public Service is a broad field and opportunities arise for secondments to further broaden your experience. I hope you find the kind of satisfaction you need to feel you are contributing to a cause in a meaningful way.