Legal Advisor

What does a typical day in your role look like?

Day to day, I partner with internal teams to support contract management and review, identify and mitigate risk, and coordinate with external lawyers to keep things running smoothly. I deliver strategic and commercially driven legal advice to business stakeholders—aligning legal solutions with organisational goals through effective engagement and risk management.

How did you get into this role?

Before joining Zespri, I worked as a procurement and legal advisor in both local and central government. I started at Zespri as a Specialist in Social Practice, ensuring orchard workers received their employment entitlements, worked within visa conditions, and that businesses operated sustainably. After moving into the legal team, I later transitioned into my current role as an External Relations Advisor – Community & Government, where I manage the community investment portfolio and support government relations to advocate for Zespri at the policy level.

Did you need to study for this role, if so, what did you study?

I studied a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love working with smart, collaborative people across the business and with external partners. As an in-house legal advisor, I get to learn about different areas of the business while helping teams succeed. I enjoy translating legal jargon into clear, practical advice, turning complex contracts into workable agreements, and managing risk without slowing things down. The mix of problem-solving, variety, and great people makes the job really rewarding.

What’s something unique, surprising, or fun about your role or team?

One thing that surprises people is the incredible variety of people I get to work with. In a single week, I might be talking to Government Ministers, collaborating with scientists, and brainstorming with digital specialists—both inside and outside the company. Meeting new people, hearing their perspectives, and learning from their expertise keeps the role exciting and full of growth.

What advice would you give someone interested in your role or career path?

Your career path doesn’t need to be linear. Take time to understand your strengths, values, and blind spots, and don’t be afraid to take diagonal moves—roles that might not seem like the obvious next step but align with what you’re good at and what matters to you. These opportunities often lead to the most growth. Stay curious, build strong relationships, and be open to learning from every experience—you never know where it might lead.