Senior Associate, Wellington
Diana Thomas

Contact
- Wellington office
- DDI +64 4 498 7358
- M +64 27 353 9819
Profile
Diana specialises in public law and advises government departments, Crown entities and private clients on a range of public, regulatory and commercial matters.
Diana regularly advises clients on statutory decision making, compliance with legal obligations, and the legislative process.
Diana played a leading role in drafting and negotiating essential health sector agreements, and also advises on the commissioning of critical health services including primary health care, age related residential care, and community pharmacy.
In addition, Diana advises clients on the establishment of new public sector entities (such as Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, and Te Pūkenga).
She also has specialist expertise in the regulation of therapeutic products, and in the tertiary education sector.
Prior to working at Buddle Findlay, Diana worked at the Takeovers Panel.
Experience
Sector / Expertise
- Administrative law, consultation and judicial review
- Biotechnology and therapeutic products
- Public and administrative law
- Health
- Advocacy and government relations
- Economic and infrastructure regulation
- Official information law
- Policy and legislation development
- Public sector procurement and contracting
- Privacy and data protection
- Education
- Public sector legal support
Work highlights
Taking a lead role in the drafting and negotiation
of a significant emergency service agreement
Advising on the regulation of therapeutic products
including preparing drafting instructions for the Therapeutic Products Bill
Advising the Tertiary Education Commission
on the development and implementation of the Government's fees-free tertiary education initiative
Advising on the establishment of the Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
including the interim entities
Advising the Tertiary Education Commission
on the implementation of its Reform of Vocation Education
Advising a Crown entity
on its processes and ensuring those processes are consistent with the relevant legislation
Alternate contacts
Alastair Hercus
Partner, Wellington
Alastair specialises in public and commercial law. He advises clients on legislative design, decision making by statutory bodies…
- DDI +64 4 498 7318
- M +64 21 449 993
Natasha Wilson
Partner, Wellington
Natasha is a member of our public law team in Wellington, and has extensive experience in the health, education, and science and…
- DDI +64 4 498 7344
- M +64 21 727 940
Susie Kilty
Partner, Wellington
Susie specialises in competition, fair trading, overseas investment consents and economic regulation, particularly of infrastructure in…
- DDI +64 4 498 7356
- M +64 21 792 134