Below is a selection of Megan’s more interesting and recent cases:

Serious crime – including murder, manslaughter, GBH

• 2025: Lead counsel for well-known senior gang member, charged with murder and arson, along with 7 other defendants. Client discharged on murder 3 weeks prior to trial pursuant to section 147 Criminal Procedure Act 2011, as insufficient evidence to go to jury. Similarly discharged on arson the week the trial was due to proceed in the Wellington High Court. Name suppression obtained pending resolution of other matters before the Court.
• 2025: Appellate counsel on an appeal against conviction for manslaughter. Key issue was whether the High Court Judge’s directions to the jury on the requirements of party liability were in error, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Burke v R [2024] NZSC 37. Two-day hearing in the Court of Appeal Oct 2025, alongside three co-defendants appealing separately. Awaiting reserved decision from Court of Appeal (as at Jan 2026).
• 2025: Counsel for defendant facing multiple charges of serious violence and kidnapping, alongside three co-defendants. 8 charges against client withdrawn by the Crown prior to trial due to insufficient evidence. Other defendants entered guilty pleas prior to trial, and client proceeded to trial alone. Found guilty on 3 of the 4 charges which proceeded to trial, but with aggravating factors significantly reduced for sentencing purposes. Defence expert evidence (mobile phone/geolocation data) also confirmed defendant could not have been at scene for several hours while assaults took place.
• Multi-defendant trial in which client was facing charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Serious violence alleged against multiple victims, following escalation in tensions between two gangs. Three-week trial in Whanganui District Court, Nov 2024.
• Representing female defendant charged, alongside 3 others, with spree offending in the Manawatu, including multiple aggravated robberies and associated violence and dishonesty charges. Other defendants either pleaded guilty or were found guilty at trial. Jury found client found not guilty on all charges. Two-week trial, Nov 2023.
• Co-counsel acting for a gang president, one of five defendants facing charges of murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm/GBH, kidnapping, and participation in an organised criminal group. Longest running jury trial (12 weeks, Feb-May 2021) to date in the Palmerston North High Court.

Cases involving those in positions of authority, including members of the military

• Prosecution of a police officer for dangerous driving causing injury x2, after he T-boned another vehicle at an intersection while responding to a 111 call. Found guilty at trial.
• Prosecution of two soldiers for endangering transport (14-year maximum penalty) by intentionally discharging a firearm at a civilian vehicle whilst driving, causing tyre to deflate.
• Defence of a school principal for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Found not guilty at trial.
• Defence of a medical practitioner facing charges of injuring with intent to injure and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Associated representation on employment and other issues he was facing with the Medical Council and local DHB.

Sexual offences, including historical sexual abuse and members of the military

• 2025: Defence of a client with physical disabilities, facing a charge of sexual violation by rape, the complainant being his former sexual partner.  Prior to trial, obtained permission from Judge, unusually, allowing cross-examination of complainant on her previous sexual experience with the defendant (relevant to whether penetration likely to have occurred). Client found not guilty at trial, Oct 2025.
• 2025: Representing defendant of advanced age, charged with historical sexual offending from the 1970s and 1980s, with a 40-50 year delay before being charged. Significant pretrial applications including application for stay of proceedings. Complainant gave evidence remotely, via video link from the United Kingdom. Two-week jury trial, Sept 2025.
• 2025: Appeal against sentence imposed in the District Court for sexual offending. Grounds of appeal included that the sentencing Judge a. failed to take into account defendant’s personal circumstances (own childhood abuse) and b. did not allow for English translation of remorse letters written in Te Reo Māori, in breach of both Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016 | the Māori Language Act 2016 and the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990. Court of Appeal hearing, May 2025.
• Representation of a defendant facing 59 charges of historical sexual offending against three young female victims, covering a 20-year period. Charges included rape and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection. Three-week trial in Palmerston North District Court, Nov-Dec 2024. Client found guilty on 30 charges; not guilty on 29 charges.
• Prosecution of one of the oldest historical sexual abuse cases in NZ. Offending from the 1950s & 1960s, including rape and indecent assault charges brought under the 1908 Crimes Act, when the victim/defendant’s daughter was aged 5 to 14 years.
• Prosecution of an army officer (Warrant Officer 1st class) for sexual violation, rape and indecent assault of his friend’s 12 year old daughter.
• Prosecution of two male soldiers for sexual violation (x3) and indecent assault (x3) of an adult female in a unimog on the Waiouru army base.
• Defence of a neurodiverse 17-year-old boy (diagnosed ADHD and ASD), for indecent assault on another boy, age 12. Following entry of a guilty plea, he was discharged without conviction.

Drug offences 

• 2025: Representing two clients, domestic partners, in a multi-defendant case involving charges of supply and possession for supply of a range of class A, B and C drugs including methamphetamine. Both clients also faced money-laundering charges. Resulted in civil proceedings being brought by the Commissioner of Police under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 for forfeiture of significant assets.
• 2025: Representation of a client charged with supply, possession for supply and conspiring to supply class A, B and C drugs, including an attempt to bring cannabis oil into prison while on remand. Ongoing representation of the same client in associated civil proceedings brought by the Commissioner of Police for criminal proceeds, including applications for restraining orders and effective control orders, in advance of an application for forfeiture of assets.

Example fraud trial

• Defence of a female defendant facing 18 charges, including causing loss by deception and using a document for pecuniary advantage. Total amounts alleged to be involved approximately $145k. Lengthy jury trial Aug 2023, requiring Samoan interpreters throughout.