Ngāti Kahungungu, Kai Tahu
Judge Rachel Mullins was appointed to the Māori Land Court on 30 September 2021. Based in Hamilton she is one of two resident Judges for the Waikato-Maniapoto District of the Māori Land Court, hearing cases in Hamilton, Te Kuiti and Thames.
Before she was appointed, Judge Mullins was the Director of her own sole practice firm specialising in Māori land law and Education Law. Judge Mullins was also one of the Deputy Chairs of the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal. Prior to establishing her own firm, Judge Mullins worked at a large Hamilton law firm managing the Māori Land practice as well as acting for clients in the Waitangi Tribunal, Treaty settlement negotiations and estate disputes.
A proud graduate of the University of Otago Judge Mullins began her legal career at the Ngai Tahu Māori Law Centre in Dunedin. Community Law has always been close to her heart, and she is the Independent Māori Board Member on the Community Law Centres of Aotearoa National Board.
Judge Mullins is a former Tumuaki Wahine of Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa (Māori Law Society) and has sat on the national executive in various roles for many years.
Judge Mullins and her husband Luke have three tamariki who keep them busy with their various kura and sporting activities.
Judge Mullins is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.