Tu Pono Legal Limited was founded in 2014 by lawyers Jason Pou and Terena Wara.
Our people
Jason Pou
Director
Jason established Tu Pono Legal in 2014 following six years of partnership at Aurere Law. He is a litigator with experience in most Courts from the District Court to the Supreme Court, the Māori Land and Appellate Courts, the Waitangi Tribunal, Environment Court and the Employment Relations Authority. In addition to litigation, Jason has experience in a range of corporate, commercial, environmental and treaty negotiations where he takes a solutions-based and practical approach to achieve outcomes.
Terena Wara
Director
Waikato, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga
Terena is a founding Director of Tu Pono Legal. She has practised law in Rotorua from 2006 and was an associate at Aurere Law. She is an experienced litigator and has appeared before the Family Court, District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Her main focus, however, is in the Māori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal where she acts for Māori Land owners, Māori Land Trusts and Incorporations, Post Settlement Governance Entities, Whānau, Hapū and Iwi.
Terena graduated with an LLB (honours) from the University of Waikato in 2006.
Terena also provides advice on property and administration matters, and commercial matters including the development of Māori land.
Areas of expertise
- Companies and corporate law, including corporate governance
- Trust law, including Māori land trusts, post-settlement governance entities
- Establishment of governance entities and administration
- Waitangi Tribunal proceedings
- Māori land law
Ashanti Neems
Solicitor
Raukawa (Ngati Huri), Niuean descent
Ashanti held senior HR leadership positions for several multi-corporations in both Australia and New Zealand before joining the Tu Pono team in 2014. Ashanti brings this extensive corporate experience into the areas of intellectual property, local government and human resources. She also has expertise in the areas of employment and environmental law. Ashanti graduated with BA/LLB LLM (Hons) degree in 2005 from the University of Waikato.
Arana Wara
Practice Manager
Waikato, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga
Arana joined Tu Pono in 2015 bringing seven years’ experience of hospitality management, from cafes and bars to clubs and restaurants in New Zealand and Australia. Arana has worked in the finance industry and has qualifications in Business Management. She is currently studying for her BA in Accounting.
