Sally McKechnie

Parliamentary processes, law reform and policy

Sally and her team regularly advise on Parliamentary processes, Select Committee processes and draft submissions and law reform proposals. She advances her clients interests through law reform proposals, suggested statutory drafting and supporting policy papers.

Contested regulatory matters and advice

Sally assists companies to resolve issues with public and regulatory decision making, securing positive and discrete solutions for clients. She works across a wide range of sectors including health and medical, pharmacy, broadcasting, mining and extractives, government procurement and contracting.

Treaty of Waitangi obligations

Regularly provides advice on statutory and Treaty obligations and Treaty informed processes to public and private actors and iwi groups.

• Lead counsel in Hart v Marlborough District Council [2023] NZHC 2714 regarding the scope of the Local Authority’s Treaty obligations.

Crown Entities

Assisting a number of Crown entities in relation to their decision making, interactions with responsible Ministers, statutory obligations and Ministerial powers, including representing a Crown Entity in a judicial review regarding the scope of Ministerial powers of direction and advising a Crown Entity on Treaty of Waitangi obligations. She represents various Crown Entities in commercial disputes, administrative disputes and judicial review, Select Committee processes, inquiries, and inquests.

• Counsel for Fire and Emergency in Stafford v Attorney General [2024] NZHC 3110.

• Counsel for Worksafe in Wislang v Attorney General [2020] NZHC 2588.

Human Rights and NZBORA

• NZBORA and human rights claims in the High Court and Human Rights Review Tribunal in relation to civil claims in sexual harassment and discrimination/human rights.

• Responding to allegations of NZBORA breaches for public bodies. Recent cases including counsel for the Speaker of the House in G v Attorney General [2026] NZHC 1776.

• Defending a Council and Council controlled organisation against allegations of discrimination in housing in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Royal Commissions and government inquiries

Sally has an extensive inquiries practice, including acting for the Catholic Bishops and Congregational Leaders and other faith groups in the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. She has assisted a wide range of clients (including government chief executives, state employees and whistle blowers) in the Royal Commission regarding the Mosque Shootings, in Operation Burnham, the Wally Haumaha inquiry and the inquiry into the Government’s use of private investigators.

Most recently, Sally is assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand in responding to the Government Inquiry in the Fatal Tauranga Landslides.

Education sector

• Advising universities, schools, ECE providers and PTEs on their statutory and regulatory obligations.

• Acting for a large PTE in challenging the regulatory actions and decisions of NZQA, including bringing judicial review proceedings and seeking interim orders to prevent the imposition of decisions.

• Assisting a university with controversial attempted name change decision.

Privacy and Official Information

• Assisting public and private clients with Ombudsman’s and Privacy Commissioner requests and investigations.

• Advising New Zealand based business and NZ based international subsidiaries on their OIA and Privacy Act obligations and compliance.