Profile
Natasha is a partner in our public law team. She has extensive experience in advising public sector bodies on decision-making processes, legislative design, governance matters, funding arrangements, commissioning and procurement, and information obligations. Her clients include departments and ministries, Crown entities, SOEs, and local government, as well as private sector clients subject to regulation.
Natasha has played a leading role in advising the public health sector on the commissioning of critical services including primary health care, age-related residential care, and pharmacy services, representing several billion dollars of public spending annually. She also regularly advises clients on the legislative process, including the establishment of new public sector entities (such as Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora), statutory decision-making, and compliance with administrative law obligations. Natasha also advises on privacy and official information requests, clients' obligations relating to the collection, use, and sharing of personal information, and managing privacy breaches.
Work highlights
Advising Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (and before that DMPC and interim Health New Zealand)
on the health reforms and establishment of Health New Zealand and including on legislation, governance, and the disestablishment of District Health Boards (DHBs)
Advising a local authority
on its decision-making in relation to a contentious amendment to its LTP, including advising on Local Government Act obligations and Standing Order requirements
Advising local authorities
on their implementation of Local Water Done Well
Advising Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People
on its funding of disability services
Advising Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (and before that DHBs)
on health service commissioning, including the PHO Services Agreement under which funding is provided for general practice and other primary health care services, the community pharmacy services agreement, and the age-related residential care and hospital specialist services agreements
Advising ACC
on a wide range of public law and corporate matters, including the operation of the accident compensation scheme, health service commissioning, privacy matters, official information requests, and public records obligations