Holland Beckett recognised in the 2025 Prosple Awards

Holland Beckett is proud to support Sea Cleaners as a regional partner, helping fund marine litter recovery operations across the Bay of Plenty and contributing to the preservation of the harbour that is such an important part of our region. Sea Cleaners is a New Zealand charitable trust dedicated to removing litter from oceans, harbours, waterways and coastlines while educating communities about the impact of marine pollution. Their vision is simple: \"committed to preserving New Zealand\'s stunning coastline for the benefit of marine life and for the enjoyment of all\". Since 2002, the organisation has removed more than 22 million litres of rubbish, an estimated 223 million pieces, from waterways around New Zealand and recently established full-time operations in Tauranga Moana. Holland Beckett\'s sponsorship will support approximately one week of recovery operations, helping remove 12,000 to 14,000 litres of litter from local waterways while also supporting volunteer and environmental education initiatives. We are committed to supporting initiatives that make a positive and lasting difference in our communities. Sea Cleaners\' work aligns closely with our environmental values and our commitment to being responsible guardians of the places where we live, work and raise our families. The partnership is particularly meaningful following our recent move to waterfront offices in Tauranga. Looking out across the harbour provides a daily reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving the marine environment that helps define our region. In fact, the photo above was taken from our office balcony, where we regularly see the Sea Cleaners vessel at work on the harbour. Watching their team in action offers a tangible reminder of the difference they are making to the health of the waters on our doorstep. Since launching local operations in 2024, Sea Cleaners has removed more than 725,000 litres of waste from the Bay of Plenty, helping to protect our harbour and beaches for future generations. We look forward to playing an active role in this partnership and supporting the important work being done to keep our harbour and coastline clean for the enjoyment of all.

Holland Beckett is proud to be one of six founding signatories of the Framework for Collaborative Pro Bono in Aotearoa, an initiative helping expand access to pro bono legal services across New Zealand. Strengthening access to justice across Aotearoa At the heart of the Framework is a commitment to improving access to justice - ensuring that individuals and organisations who cannot afford legal services can still access high-quality legal support. Established in 2024 and led by Te Ara Ture (the pro bono clearinghouse within Community Law Centres Aotearoa), the Framework provides a structured and sustainable approach to pro bono legal work, enabling participating firms to improve access to justice and support people who may otherwise struggle to access legal advice. The inaugural performance report, which brings together data from participating firms, highlights a strong commitment to access to justice with impressive results. Together, the participating firms - Holland Beckett alongside DLA Piper, Gilbert Walker, Luke Cunningham Clere, Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson -  delivered more than 17,500 hours of pro bono legal services in the first year. Lawyers averaged 27.58 hours of pro bono work per full-time equivalent, exceeding the Framework\'s aspirational 25-hour target. Two in three lawyers (67%) at participating firms undertook at least one hour of pro bono work during 2025, and among those who participated, the average was 41 hours. The report was prepared by New Zealand Law Society – Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa. Data is submitted confidentially and reported in anonymised form, which removes any competitive aspect to joining the Framework. Participating firms collaborate by sharing ideas, discussing challenges and working together to maximise impact, while maintaining their independence. The shared goal is a stronger, more connected pro bono sector across Aotearoa. Holland Beckett\'s commitment to pro bono work Holland Beckett\'s own pro bono practice is broad, supporting charities, community organisations, not-for-profits and individuals facing barriers to accessing legal services. Behind those 17,500 hours are real people and real stories, highlighting the significant and growing unmet legal need in Aotearoa, and demonstrating the important role that pro bono lawyers play in improving access to justice in Aotearoa. Tim Conder, a partner in Holland Beckett’s litigation and dispute resolution team, says the firm’s commitment to community is long-standing: “Holland Beckett has an outstanding culture of supporting the communities that have supported us. One of our values is being \'Champions of our Communities. We bring positive impact to those around us. We are supportive, inclusive and generous.\' We do this in many ways, from community days and payroll giving to governance roles. But ultimately, we are lawyers, and one of the most effective ways we can give back is by providing pro bono legal services to those who need them most, helping to improve access to justice in our communities.” You can read the 2025 performance report here: Collaborative Framework Pro Bono Report May 2026

Holland Beckett’s Tauranga office space has been awarded top honours in the Interior Architecture category at the 2026 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Waikato Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards. The NZIA awards programme is widely regarded as the benchmark for architectural excellence in New Zealand, celebrating projects that deliver meaningful value to clients, communities and the built environment. Designed by Wingates, the award-winning fitout stood out among a strong regional field, having first been shortlisted among projects recognised for their contribution to contemporary architecture across the region. A space with purpose The space is located within the Northern Quarter development, which opened in October 2025. The firm’s move into the landmark building was driven not only by growth, but by a belief in Tauranga’s future - helping bring the project to life by signing on as anchor tenant in 2022 and signalling confidence in the rejuvenation of the city centre. The workplace represents a deliberate shift away from traditional legal office design toward a more open, collaborative and human-centered environment that balances professionalism with warmth. An open-plan layout brings a legal team of more than 100 people together on a single floor, supported by a network of quiet rooms, flexible areas for training and events, and a variety of private client meeting spaces. From sit-to-stand workstations to flexible collaboration zones and acoustically separated ‘phone booths’, the workplace has been designed to support different modes of working. This layered approach reflects a wider shift within the profession towards environments that are responsive, inclusive and capable of evolving over time. Sharline Fitzgerald, Practice Manager at Holland Beckett, says the success of the project lies in how well it works day to day. “From a practical point of view, this space was designed to support how our people actually work,” she says. “Wingates took our needs and created a space unique to us. Whether it’s access to quiet areas for focused work, flexible spaces for team meetings, or simply the flow of the office, everything has been considered to improve both efficiency and wellbeing. It’s a workplace that genuinely supports our team and, in turn, the service we provide to clients.” Shaped by its setting The design draws heavily on its coastal context, using a restrained palette of neutral tones layered with texture, natural materials and subtle colour, enlivened by lush, almost tropical planting. These elements create a calm and cohesive environment with moments of energy and identity throughout. Natural light, harbour views and carefully integrated artwork - including the wonderful ‘Māramatanga’ installation by local artist Julie Paama-Pengelly, suspended in the atrium - anchor the workplace in its surroundings and reinforce a strong sense of belonging. Partner Vanessa Hamm says the design reflects a clear intention to create something enduring and representative of both the firm and its hometown. “We wanted a space that felt distinctly of Tauranga - calm, considered and connected to its surroundings,” she says. “The design balances functionality with a sense of personality, creating an environment that not only supports our work but also reflects who we are as a firm. It’s about creating a place people feel comfortable in, whether they’re working here every day or visiting for the first time.” Sustainability has also been embedded in the project through adaptive reuse of furniture, energy-efficient systems, and its location within the 6 Green Star-rated Northern Quarter, aligning environmental performance with long-term business resilience. Regional recognition The award signals the growing importance of interior architecture in professional settings. As flexible and remote working arrangements become more common, creating workplaces people actively want to come to is increasingly important - supporting culture, connection and productivity, both within the office and to the city beyond. Wingates has created a space for Holland Beckett which embodies this direction: a workplace that is contemporary without being transient, refined yet welcoming, and forward-looking while remaining deeply connected to the community. For Holland Beckett, the award marks more than a design achievement. It reflects an ongoing commitment to innovation, people and the region the firm has called home for nearly nine decades.