Rachael Jones Rachael Jones

Rachael Jones

Rōia Whakarae (Senior Associate)
Auckland

Litigation & dispute resolution
Māori business

Rachael specialises in public and administrative law litigation, in particular claims involving tikanga Māori and constitutional issues. Her practice also spans general commercial and intellectual property disputes.

With her particular expertise in public, constitutional and Māori law issues, Rachael has represented clients in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Māori Land Court, and has acted in alternative dispute resolution forums.

She also advises clients on a range of commercial matters, including contentious intellectual property issues.

Rachael is from Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Rakaipaaka and is a senior member of our Māori Legal Group, Te Waka Ture. 

Before joining Chapman Tripp, Rachael was a judges’ clerk at the High Court of New Zealand. In 2019, she completed a Master of Laws (LLM) at Columbia University in New York City which she attended as a Fulbright Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga scholar.

Rachael’s work is recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution directory for 2022. She was also recognised as a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer in 2024

Recent highlights

  • Appearing as counsel for the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust in judicial review proceedings challenging the Crown’s Treaty settlement policy in Tāmaki Makaurau, including its landmark win in the Supreme Court and related High Court trial.
  • Appearing as counsel for Te Whakakitenga, the tribal authority for Waikato-Tainui, on governance issues in a successful Court of Appeal case.
  • Acting for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in novel tikanga-based claims relating to freshwater.
  • Acting in judicial review proceedings relating to the Waitangi Tribunal’s binding resumption jurisdiction.
  • Representing a major energy company in a tax dispute relating to geothermal energy assets.
  • Acting for ANZ in successful Supreme Court litigation over the sale of financial derivatives.
  • Representing clients in major patent litigation, and on contentious intellectual property matters.
  • Advising and appearing in courts and tribunals for iwi clients on Māori Land and Takutai Moana (foreshore and seabed) issues.

Affiliations

  • Member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (Māori Law Society).
  • Member of Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ).
  • Member of the Law Reform Committee of the New Zealand Law Society.

Rachael's insights

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Three Senior Associates recognised by NZ Lawyer as Rising Stars

We are delighted that Kishan Gunatunga, Rachael Jones and Rosa McPhee have been recognised as Rising Stars by NZ Lawyer.

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Senior Associates group

Celebrating eight new senior associates

Julia Adams, Liora Bercovitch, William Cheyne, Richard Hutchison, Tom Jemson, Rachael Jones, Guy Jones, and Rosa McPhee have been promoted, recognising their expertise and contribution to the firm.

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medical screen

Chapman Tripp partners with medical technology innovator Mātai

We are proud to announce a new partnership with Mātai, a not-for-profit research centre focused on enhancing the capabilities of medical imaging (MRI) using advanced software and machine learning.

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ocean wave

Tikanga Māori increasingly prevalent in law

NZ is in a period of transformative recognition of tikanga Māori in the law, now more prevalent in legislation and increasingly being recognised as an integral part of decision-making.

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photos of senior solicitor who have been promoted

Ten new promotions at Chapman Tripp

Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce the promotion of 10 new senior solicitors across its three offices.

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kauri tree

Iwi business flourishing – more benefits for members

The Māori economy has powered beyond $50b and business-savvy iwi are now extending their investment into more social initiatives that directly benefit iwi members.

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flax weave

Crown-Māori relationship evolves as $50b industry grows

Continued growth in the Māori economy off the back of what has been a tumultuous Treaty settlement process will see more active participation of iwi groups in New Zealand’s domestic M&A market, Chapman Tripp says.

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Others in the team

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