1. Sian Elias was the presiding judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand and on several occasions acted as administrator of the Government.
11 Facts About Sian Elias
1. 2.
Sian Elias completed a law degree from the University of Auckland in 1970, and then undertook further study at Stanford University.
3.
Sian Elias took up employment with an Auckland law firm in 1972, beginning her career as a barrister three years later.
4.
Sian Elias served as a member of the Motor Spirits Licensing Appeal Authority and of the Working Party on the Environment.
5.
Sian Elias is married to Hugh Fletcher, former CEO of Fletcher Challenge and a former Chancellor of the University of Auckland.
6.
Sian Elias served as a Law Commissioner from 1984 to 1988.
7.
Sian Elias is known for her work in relation to various Treaty-related cases.
8.
Sian Elias became a judge of the High Court in 1995, and occasionally sat on the Court of Appeal.
9.
On 17 May 1999, Sian Elias was sworn in as Chief Justice of New Zealand, the first woman to hold that position in New Zealand.
10.
In 1984, Sian Elias helped Nganeko Minhinnick's Manukau Harbour claim to the Waitangi Tribunal.
11.
In July 2009, Sian Elias caused controversy with her remarks in the annual Shirley Smith address, organised by the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Law Society's Women-in-Law committee.