Jones said people attending the clinics are primarily looking for help in family and criminal law - something he described as a “different kettle of fish”. Most were on the lower end of the socio-economic ladder or from outside of New Zealand.
“A lot of them don’t have the money to afford a lawyer, so we’re their last port of call.”
Jones believed there was potential to grow access to legal advice, such as creating an online space to cater for people unable to make the trip to Whangārei, or clinics in Kawakawa or Kaikohe.
His work in the last 18 months as a junior lawyer has caused him to come across issues he described as confronting.
“It’s been eye-opening to see the actual impact of not having proper access to the justice system,” he said.
Jones wanted to see internal referrals expanded to support whānau who may be distressed so they can be provided with help then and there.
“We’re wanting to get more practitioners in the community involved to share their expertise,” he said.
The clinics operate fortnightly at Ngāti Hine Health Trust and the next will be held on Wednesday, July 5 from 5.30pm.
