Rachael Brown

^{Chambers Asia Pacific 2025 Public Law 'Leading lawyer'.}

^{The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Labour and employment, 'Leading individual'.}

^{Doyles Guide 2021 Māori Law, Māori Groups and Te Tiriti o Waitangi-related matters, 'Recommended lawyer'.}

^{New Zealand Lawyer 2021, 2022, and 2023, 'Elite Women'.}

^{Noted for her "ability to think laterally" and "clarity of thinking".}

^{Clients say "Rachael Brown was a standout in [employment law] for her deep technical knowledge, professionalism and responsiveness." Her team have also been applauded for their "responsiveness". She is described as being "highly adept at managing expectations"… "her pragmatic approach to providing advice and guidance and her ability to cut to the heart of the matter… is a key strength."}

Public law

Advising the Charter School Agency, the Electricity Authority, and Lotto NZ on public law issues, and acting for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities and JASANZ (the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand) in judicial review proceedings.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu relativity mechanism

Advising on all aspects of the relativity mechanism included in its 1997 Deed of Settlement with the Crown including, since 2012 when the mechanism was triggered, six arbitrations with the Crown to resolve disputes relating to the mechanism, and High Court proceedings.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu judicial review

Acted in judicial review proceedings brought by another iwi relating to the allocation of whalebones, which were the subject of a judgment of the High Court in May 2023 which stated that allocation issues should be resolved by a tikanga consistent process, which was completed in February 2025.

Forestry Emission Unit Trust

Acted in High Court proceedings to obtain a variation to its Trust Deed regarding the transfer of NZUs to eligible iwi.

Education sector

Advised on the establishment of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, and providing ongoing public law and employment law advice to Te Pūkenga, as well as public law advice to Workforce Development Councils, and several tertiary education institutions.

Advising the Ministry of Education on Holidays Act compliance issues.

Health sector

Advising Pharmac on a wide range of public law issues, including acting for it in mediations and Court proceedings.

Advising Chemist Warehouse on health regulatory issues including in relation to its merger with Sigma Healthcare.

Employment advice

Advising clients in both the public and private sector on all areas of employment law including Holidays Act compliance issues, corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, performance issues, and representing clients in contentious matters.

Health and safety

Advising clients on their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act. This includes advising clients on investigations and prosecutions relating to health and safety issues. Rachael has particular expertise regarding health and safety issues in the electricity sector, including having acted for Wellington Electricity in a prosecution under the Electricity Act by WorkSafe.