Media & Articles
Members of our team have been invited to speak and write on a number of legal topics over the years. Here you will find a few of these appearances and articles.
In defence of debate: what happens to societies when dissent is crushed? (May 2024)
Podcast Appearance (October 2024)
Listen to our latest InFocus with The Law Association episode, featuring Samira Taghavi, a criminal barrister who represents clients across New Zealand.
She shares insights into studying and practising law in Iran versus New Zealand and her extensive lobbying work in the justice space.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcast | Listen in Browser
The Panel with Samira, Alan McElroy and Peter Field (RNZ)
Criminal defence lawyers – vilified yet vital
Samira Taghavi’s article published in the New Zealand Herald on 17 June 2022.
Iran, Ukraine protesters join voices in Auckland’s Aotea Square (November 2022)
Samira being interviewed by TV3 Newshub News as to the New Zealand government’s position on Iran (October 2022)
Kiwi Iranians demand stronger action against Iran, accuse Jacinda Ardern of failing to lead (October 2022 – Newshub)
Samira speaks in support of freedom for Iran (October 2022)
Human rights advocate slams ‘self-entitled’ Kiwi influencers (Newshub)
How New Zealand officials negotiated Kiwi influencers out of Iran (Newshub)
Meet Samira Taghavi: convenor, Public & Administrative Law committee (October 2024)
Iranian-Kiwis call on NZ Government to condemn actions of Iranian Revolutionary Guard (Stuff)
Zero tolerance for courtroom bullies, Attorney-General says – Law News
Technology hurdles causing ‘outrageous’ case delays in court – lawyer
Samira Taghavi’s interview with RNZ.
The silent struggles of overwhelmed defence lawyers: a plea for empathy and change
Samira Taghavi’s Opinion Piece in Law News.
Courtroom chaos: Nearly 450 assaults in New Zealand courthouses since 2019 (January 2025)
Growing backlog of judge-alone trials causing concern among lawyers and frustrated defendants (January 2025)
Auckland District Law Society Criminal Committee
Samira Taghavi was appointed to the ADLS Criminal Law Committee in 2020.
Sexual Violence (Legislation) Bill
For our website page on the fight against the Sexual Violence Bill, please click here
Criminal Offending and Deportation Liability
A discharge without conviction may be a suitable option if you reside in New Zealand on a temporary or residence class visa and are charged with a criminal offence. Particularly if it is an offence that may bring about deportation liability.
Here is a video recording of the seminar organised by the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI) where Samira Taghavi gives a speech about the interface between criminal conviction and deportation liability.
If you are seeking more information on discharge without conviction and deportation liability you can find an article here written by Tom Hielkema, one of our barristers.
Newstalk ZB
Here is an interview between Mike Hosking and Patrick discussing the many ways in which positive outcomes can be achieved in a drink driving case.
Radio New Zealand
Here is an interview with Patrick discussing a discharge without conviction for a police officer who was caught driving two and a half times over the limit.
Driving While Disqualified/Suspended and Section 94 Community-Based Sentences
Often people think that the chances of getting caught for driving during a suspension or disqualification are low. However if you are caught this is likely to create a great deal of stress with an even further disqualification. An alternative to disqualification is a community-based sentence. If you want more information about this then here is an article written by one of our former barristers, Sarah Hames.
A few more articles
- Ex-Taupō district councillor fined for drunk-driving conviction
- A “rare” discharge over drink-driving
- Drainlayer keeps licence
- Jail avoided
- The up-and-coming litigators
- Our right to silence under grave threat
Gallery
Samira hosts morning breakfast for Attorney General of New Zealand, Hon. Judith Collins.
President Tony Herring, Samira Taghavi, Warren Puke and CEO Clayton Kimpton
At its AGM on 6 March, TLANZ welcomed the re-election of council member Samira Taghavi. Read here
Samira and other Law Association governing council members, host the Attorney General of New Zealand, Hon Judith Collins KC, at a 2024 Law Association event.
Patrick, Roderick Mulgan, Marie Dyhrberg QC (President of the Auckland District Law Society) and Samira, at Parliament Buildings in 2020, about to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the grave defects in the Sexual Violence (Legislation) Bill.
In late 2020 Samira was chosen to be a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Auckland District Law Society. Here, celebrating that appointment with her, is Professor Warren Brookbanks who oversaw Samira’s Master of Laws degree a decade before.
Samira with then-Opposition Spokesman for Courts and Shadow Attorney-General, Chris Penk.