Tiana Epati

Tiana is a senior litigation lawyer with expertise in serious criminal trials and appeals. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in September 2000 after graduating from Auckland University with a BA/LLB. For many years she was a Crown prosecutor in Auckland and Wellington. She worked at Crown Law Office in 2008 before moving to Gisborne in 2012, where she now works as a criminal barrister.

Tiana has appeared as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal in over 100 appeals against pre-trial decisions, conviction and sentence. She has also appeared as independent counsel to assist in the Coroners Court and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and Faith based Institutions.

Tiana is an established leader in the legal profession and community. In 2019, Tiana became just the fourth woman to be President of the New Zealand Law Society. That same year, online legal blog site “LawFuel” named her “Lawyer of the Year” for the fresh voice and leadership she brought to the role. Tiana is the first President of Pasifika descent and one of the youngest people to ever serve in the role. She finished as President in April 2022. Presently, Tiana continues her governance work as Trustee on the Moana Pasifika Community Trust who are the Super Rugby franchise license holder for the Moana Pasifika Rugby Team.