Malama Mahe

Senior Solicitor: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Mālō e lelei and kia ora. I am a Poutoko Ture Matua, Senior Solicitor at Manatū Taonga where we are guided by the saying: Ki te puāwai te ahurea, Ka ora te iwi; Culture is thriving, The people are well, which are the coordinates that help direct our energy and effort to seeing cultural diversity in Aotearoa flourish.

My mahi involves working across a wide variety of legal, policy and strategic matters that support Aotearoa’s arts, media, heritage and sports organisation to ensure everyone has access to enjoy these cultural experiences.

I work alongside smart, caring, value-driven, and motivated kaimahi who strive to provide considered, sound and easy to understand advice and counsel so that positive outcomes and workable solutions are reached for the benefit of the communities and people that need it.

Aotearoa has experienced turbulent challenges over the last few years and although it created uncertainty, I’ve observed and participated in a legal team that have tact to become more agile in their approach to providing legal advice and stay open to being more collaborative and innovative in the way they deliver solutions.

I work alongside smart, caring, value-driven, and motivated kaimahi who strive to provide considered, sound and easy to understand advice and counsel so that positive outcomes and workable solutions are reached for the benefit of the communities and people that need it.

As a proud Pacific woman and lawyer currently working from Tāmaki Makaurau, I am an advocate of flexible and remote working arrangements and pay equity. It is mana-enriching when our unique cultural perspectives and obligations are upheld and accepted by colleagues and peers. Our cultural currency and capital are undeniable in the way that it helps to grow and strengthen the organisations we choose to be part of and so I am heartened by the mahi that agencies and GLN do to try and create these supportive environments especially for those who connect to Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.