Graham brings over 30 years of experience in employment relations, workplace law, criminal investigations, and litigation management across New Zealand’s public and private sectors. With a strong foundation in legal practice and operational strategy, he is recognised for resolving complex workplace issues, leading high-performing legal teams, and delivering pragmatic, values-based advice in high-risk and regulated environments.
A specialist in employment law and dispute resolution, Graham has advised unionised and non-unionised workforces on performance management, disciplinary processes, workplace change, bullying and harassment complaints, and health and safety obligations. He is adept at managing organisational risk while supporting fair, legally compliant decision-making across the full employee lifecycle.
As Senior and then Chief Legal Adviser to the New Zealand Police, Graham led a national legal team advising on operational policing, civil litigation, major criminal investigations, and regulatory compliance. This role demanded sound legal judgment and the ability to guide senior leaders through legal risks, including litigation, privacy, and serious misconduct.
Previously, as Team Manager at MSD Auckland Legal, he led a team of lawyers delivering civil litigation services aligned with the Ministry’s operational and compliance frameworks. Graham has also held senior roles in the private sector, where he provided strategic in-house employment relations advice, managed health and safety issues, and resolved employment disputes through mediation and proceedings before the Employment Relations Authority and Court.
Graham has appeared before the Employment Relations Authority, District Court, High Court, and Employment Court, and has significant experience managing litigation strategy, both internally and through external counsel. He approaches disputes with commercial pragmatism, cultural awareness, and a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape.
A collaborative and strategic leader, Graham builds strong relationships with executive leaders, HR teams, unions, and operational managers. He brings a calm, principled approach to problem-solving and is committed to fostering fairness, legal integrity, and positive workplace cultures. In 2007, Her Majesty the Queen appointed Graham a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in recognition of his services to policing.
