Sade has a Law and Arts degree in History, English and Māori and Indigenous Studies.
Before starting at GQ she worked for the Morrinsville Family Courts and enjoyed her time as the sole Registrar. It was here where she realised an interest for family law in particular, as she found a passion for the wellbeing of children and their families.
Sade is experienced in Court advocacy and regularly appears in the Family Court on matters concerning the Care of Children Act 2004, Family Violence Act 2018 and Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. She also has experience with relationship matters under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
In the area of Resource Management, Sade has assisted in advising local government and clients in the renewable energy and oil & gas sectors.
As part of our Te Tira Hau Ture team, Sade enjoys empowering our Maori clients with the information and tools they require to achieve their objectives. Some of this work includes Maori Land Court matters, succession matters, Māori Trusts and Māori land issues.
Sade is passionate about the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori and its place in New Zealand’s identity. In 2021, Sade completed a full year Te Reo Māori course through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Sade is from Nelson and is a proud Southerner and Crusaders fan. She is very connected with her Iwi and the relevant entities across Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South Island). Law runs in the family with Sade’s brother, Kristin, also a lawyer at GQ.
Sade has been the Te Tai Hauauru (Taranaki) co-representative for Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (Maori Law Society) since late 2020. In this role, she occasionally works alongside the New Zealand Law Society.
Sade is also a voluntary advisor at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and as a member of the Taranaki Young Professionals, completed an internship with Taranaki Cricket Association as a Board Intern for 2021.
She has also been appointed as a representative of the Taranaki Branch of the Law Society.
Sade enjoys exploring the outdoors and the beautiful landscape Taranaki has to offer. She enjoys connecting and catching up with friends, whānau over food or sport. Now a proud Taranaki first-home owner, you might see Sade out and about with her beagle pup - Benji!
