He has been general manager and special counsel, Māori Crown relations, at Te Puni Kōkiri
Paul Goldsmith, justice minister, has announced the appointment of Dr Mark Hickford as a member of New Zealand’s Law Commission for five years and as its president for six months, pending a new president’s confirmation in the New Year.
“Dr Hickford has outstanding legal credentials and I am delighted to welcome him to the Commission,” Goldsmith said in a news release from the government.
Goldsmith shared that Hickford has significant senior management experience, has worked in complex legal environments, and understands the need to ensure an organisation’s capabilities.
Goldsmith noted that Hickford would initially serve part-time at the Law Commission while finishing his short-term contractual obligation with Te Puni Kōkiri.
“I would like to thank the out-going President, Dr Kawharu for her able leadership, her work in the review of the Evidence Act 2006, and in reviewing the law relating to hate crime,” Goldsmith said in the government’s news release.
Hickford’s LinkedIn page provides more information regarding his professional and educational background.
At Te Puni Kōkiri in Wellington, he has served as general manager and special counsel, Māori Crown relations, beginning in May 2025 and chief advisor – special counsel from April 2025 to May 2025.
Hickford has been a barrister at Thorndon Chambers in the Wellington Region from September 2020 to April 2025.
At Victoria University of Wellington, he has worked as pro vice-chancellor of government, law and business, from October 2021 to July 2023 and pro vice-chancellor and dean of law from May 2015 to October 2021.
Hickford has been advisor to the prime minister (legal and justice), policy advisory group, executive wing at New Zealand’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from October 2010 to May 2015.
He has worked as director of legal services and chief legal advisor through a secondment at the Ministry for Primary Industries in Wellington from August 2013 to April 2014.
Hickford has been Crown counsel in Wellington from September 2002 to October 2010 and an adjunct lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law from February 2007 to November 2008.
He has served as a senior consultant at the Law Commission on a secondment from the Crown Law Office in Wellington from January 2007 to February 2008.
Hickford has been a senior associate at Chen Palmer & Partners in Wellington from February 2000 to September 2002 and a solicitor focusing on commercial litigation and intellectual property disputes at Chapman Tripp in Auckland from February 1993 to October 1996.
He earned his PhD in law and history from the University of Oxford, as well as his LLB (honours) and BA in law, political studies, and history from the University of Auckland.
