One commitment
Tō Tātou Tiakitanga brings together Buddle Findlay’s contribution across four interconnected areas: diversity and inclusion, Hikitia (cultural capabilities), Te Hapori (community) and Te Taiao (environment and sustainability). They reflect a single, integrated commitment to doing what is right for our people, our clients and our communities.
Diversity and inclusion
Buddle Findlay’s culture is the foundation of who we are as a firm and is integral to delivering our promise: New Zealand’s collaborative law firm, exceptional outcomes through collaboration. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental elements of our strategic priorities and are lenses we place over all our decision-making. We know that a diverse workforce increases our creativity, innovation and profitability, and provides our clients with better experiences.
We measure our progress in all areas of diversity and inclusion, survey our people twice a year and track our score against the professional services industry benchmark.
Buddle Findlay staff stats
People (appox.)
of our board are women
of our senior leadership team are women
of our partners are women
of our total workforce are women
of our people identify as Māori or Pacific Islanders
of our people identify as New Zealand Pakeha / European
Gender equity initiatives
Gender equity is an important focus for Buddle Findlay. We take a holistic approach that supports the whole workforce and considers the role of all family members. Initiatives include:
Leadership programmes for emerging leaders and partners / a market-leading Parental Leave policy with coaching for parents and leaders / Menopause policy and education programme / flexible working, unlimited sick leave and lifestyle leave / whānau connect network for parents and expecting parents / Transitioning Gender While at Work policy / Dignity period product partnership, operating on a buy-one-give-one model with free period products reaching communities across Aotearoa / Global Women membership / annual pay gap reporting published on Pay Gap Insights Hub.
Ethnicities, cultures and rainbow community
We are committed to increasing ethnic and cultural diversity at Buddle Findlay. We work closely with university equity groups, host events for student equity groups and celebrate cultural awareness days including Diwali, Mid-Autumn Festival, Matariki, Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori and Pacific language weeks. We also run a work experience programme for Maori and Pacific Island secondary school students in all three offices.
We are Rainbow Tick accredited and Pride Pledge members. We celebrate Pride month across all offices and are active supporters of the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa.
Cultural capabilities | Hikitia
Hikitia (to uplift) is the kaupapa that guides Buddle Findlay on its journey to grow capability in Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga and Te Ao Māori. Hikitia means uplifting our people and the firm together, guided by the principles set out below.
Hikitia initiatives
Our Hikitia strategy guides how we grow capability in Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Māori as a firm. Recent initiatives include sending delegations to Hui-a-Tau (the Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa national conference) and sponsoring Hui-a-Tauira (the national conference for Māori law students); running the National Te Tiriti and Tikanga series for our people; offering Te Reo Māori classes up to level five; providing Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori resources on our intranet; running regular waiata practice sessions in Auckland and Wellington; maintaining a preferential Ngai Tahu summer clerk position; and paying membership fees for Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa for those who wish to join.
Community | Te Hapori
Te Hapori is our strategic framework to guide and support Buddle Findlay’s contribution to the community. We are committed to building a stronger New Zealand. Our six Te Hapori priority areas guide who we partner with, where we direct our pro bono work and how our people choose to spend their Awhinatia Ra community day.
Te Hapori priorities:
Reducing inequality (education, hunger, poverty, homelessness, minority groups) / Children and rangatahi wellbeing / Māori wellbeing / Mental health and addiction / Access to justice / People living with disabilities.
Community impact
160 pro bono matters advised on in 2025
Over $300,000 of pro bono work for the Halberg Foundation since 2017
Over 2,900 hours of pro bono legal work in 2025
10 years as a key Halberg Foundation sponsor
$1.67m donated by the Buddle Findlay Child Health Foundation since 2004
Over 570 hours of support to Community Law and Te Ara Ture in 2025
Environment and sustainability | Te Taiao
Environmental action is everyone’s business. Buddle Findlay’s national environment committee (Te Taiao) comprises volunteers from across the firm at all levels, complemented by regional subcommittees in each office. We are committed to playing our part in the effort to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Environment: We aim to do what is right for the environment and take practicable steps to reduce our environmental footprint
Clients: We endeavour to honour our environmental commitments to clients
Our people: We will continue to engage with our people on emissions reduction and broader environmental issues.
Te Taiao initiatives
Our environmental programme covers energy, materials, waste and communications. Recent initiatives include completing a full scope 1-3 carbon audit and Carbon Commit certification for the 2024 reporting period; purchasing Certified Renewable Energy through Meridian; operating TerraCycle recycling schemes and an in-house worm farm in Auckland; running recycling awareness campaigns and waste reduction programmes; participating in the Christmas Shoebox Project; and organising a Sea Cleaners volunteer day where Auckland staff collected rubbish washed ashore across the Waitemata Harbour.
Tō Tātou Tiakitanga | Our to care for all
To read the full Tō Tātou Tiakitanga April 2025 to October 2025 report, including detailed diversity data, the full Hikitia strategy, more about the Te Hapori and Te Taiao initiatives and our pro bono relationship stories, download it below.
Download the Tō Tātou Tiakitanga report