Her first job was at LW Goodman in Palmerston North before becoming a staff solicitor and later an associate at Wollerman Cooke McClure in Carterton. <\/p>\n
In 2001, she made the move to Rotorua and joined Davys Burton. She became a partner in 2005 and during that period was a Crown and senior Crown prosecutor. <\/p>\n
McGuire established herself as a barrister sole in 2007 and has represented clients in both family and criminal court matters since that time.<\/p>\n
She is a present member of the Family Law Section Advisory Panel, a mental health advocate and Lawyer for Child.<\/p>\n
She is married, and she and her husband have five children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had an amazing career in the law, one which I have enjoyed throughout. At times it has been tough and challenging but it has also been incredibly rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judge Prue McGuire. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
She said she had focused her role in the family area but was now keen to take up the opportunity and the challenge of being a judge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am incredibly humbled to be offered this job. I have tried to help people through what is often one of the worst periods of their lives … I am looking forward to a continued role in people\u2019s lives where needed, serving the community to deliver fair and unbiased outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she was looking forward to learning more about the local community in Palmerston North, she confessed she would \u201cvery much\u201d miss Rotorua and its \u201cfabulous people\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI may one day come back to work here. I am certainly not against that idea. It is a special place for me, having spent 25 years here, working, raising children and making use of the fabulous resources we have. I will particularly miss the Redwoods and the lakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGuire will be sworn in on April 21.<\/p>\n
Macklin makes the move<\/p>\n
Macklin is now a Nelson-based barrister but until 2023 spent 17 years gaining extensive criminal and regulatory litigation experience in Rotorua, leaving the city as a principal Crown prosecutor and partner at Gordon and Pilditch.<\/p>\n
He was admitted to the bar in 2006, and following a brief period at Russell McVeagh, joined Gordon and Pilditch, the Office of the Crown Solicitor in Rotorua. <\/p>\n
He was an associate at that firm between 2010 and 2013, after which he became a partner.<\/p>\n
Judge Chris Macklin. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
He left to set up practise as a barrister in 2023 and since that time has been based in Nelson, although most of his practice work takes place elsewhere. <\/p>\n
He was also the convenor of the New Zealand Law Society Criminal Law Committee until recently.<\/p>\n
Macklin told the Rotorua Daily Post he was born in Christchurch but moved around while growing up.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the time I left Rotorua, I had been living there longer than any other part of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if he aspired to be a judge, he said: \u201cAs a lawyer, and one passionate about court work, it\u2019s a role I have always looked up to. So, in that sense, it\u2019s a role I thought I would like to do one day, if I got the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said serving the community was what he looked forward to the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community relies on a robust but humane justice system, and judges play a key role in maintaining that system. It\u2019s a great honour to be trusted to work in that role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Macklin did not rule out a return to Rotorua.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would never say never to Rotorua. It\u2019s a magic place with so much going for it. My wife and I raised our children through their younger years in Rotorua. Right now, we are loving being back on the Mainland, but Rotorua will always have a special place in our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n
He will be based at the Nelson District Court and will be sworn in on May 15.<\/p>\n