Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, the former Attorney-General of Samoa, is now the first-ever National Public Defender of New Zealand. In his new position, he leads the senior team at the New Zealand Public Defence Service, overseeing about 160 lawyers and 10 offices across different cities. These offices include branches in Christchurch, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga, Hamilton, and Auckland.
As the National Public Defender, Retzlaff’s responsibilities include managing legal matters and providing counsel to community members facing criminal charges. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the dedicated and talented team within the Justice sector, emphasising their important role.
Retzlaff’s legal career in New Zealand began in 2005 with the Crown at Meredith Connell. He later transitioned to the public defence service in 2009. After his service in Samoa, he joined the Crown Solicitor’s Office, Kayes Fletcher Walker, and has been serving as the public defender for Waitakere since February 2021.
Known for his leadership qualities, Retzlaff is described as humble, collaborative, and values-focused. According to Elaine Hines, the director of operations and performance, Retzlaff possesses excellent legal competencies and strategic thinking, making him an asset to the Public Defence Service’s leadership team. He officially assumed his new role this week.
[orignial text by Jacqueline So – NZLawyer]