Holland Beckett understands that accessing legal advice can be challenging and pro bono work plays a key role in our commitment to supporting the communities we are part of.
Our pro bono practice has a long history and lasting impact in the Bay of Plenty. More recently, in 2024 Holland Beckett was proud to be one of the six founding signatories of the Framework for Collaborative Pro Bono in Aotearoa, the country’s first pro bono network. Drawing inspiration from successful international models, the framework provides a structured pathway and a platform for cross-firm collaboration, sharing knowledge and best practice, reporting on targets, and working together to facilitate more effective use of pro bono time and more impactful services nationally.
We aim to direct pro bono time towards charities, community groups and other not-for-profit or social enterprises that work in the interests of low income or disadvantaged members of the community, or for the public good.
We encourage local community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations to contact the firm for specific pro bono projects and to establish long term pro bono partnerships.
Contact: Natasha van der Wal at natasha.vanderwal@hobec.co.nz
Individuals who need pro bono legal assistance will usually have the best result working with their Community Law Centre to see that their legal needs are met.
Recent Examples Include:
- Assisting Hunt for Good to form their charitable trust, enabling the group to organise deer culls and deliver the premium protein to Tauranga Community Foodbank – as of March 2024 Hunt for Good have provided 10,800 servings (1.6 metric tons) of mince to the foodbank;
- the RMA team has supported Mount Playcentre with resource consent work as the playcentre moves locations, enabling more local children to learn through play;
- the litigation team helps victims of financial abuse recover money and property that they would otherwise have lost, represents community organisations that are in dispute, and assists with appeals on a pro bono basis;
- House of Science, a national organisation on a mission to raise science literacy in schools with engaging science resources, is supported with employment, funding and Intellectual Property advice;
- the firm assists numerous sports clubs and charitable organisations, such as Omanu Surf Life Saving Club, Bay Conservation Incorporated and Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, in reviewing and preparing their constitutions;
- and Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust is aided with pro bono leasing and property advice, so they can focus on providing emotional and practical support to women diagnosed with breast cancer.
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