Ā Mātou Kaikōmihana | Our Commissioners

Kaikōmihana Matua | Chief Commissioner

Denis Clifford

The Honourable Denis Clifford was appointed Kaikōmihana Matua | Chief Commissioner of Te Kāhui Board on 2 December 2024 for a five-year term.

Denis began his legal career after earning an LLB (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1978, joining Buddle Anderson Kent in Wellington. In 1980, he left to become a visiting fellow at the University of Illinois Law School.

He returned to New Zealand in 1982 following the merger of Buddle Anderson Kent and Findlay Hoggard Richmond, which formed Buddle Findlay. He remained with the firm until 1984 before moving to London to work at Slaughter and May, a leading UK Magic Circle firm.

Two years later, Denis returned to New Zealand and became a partner at Buddle Findlay, a role he held until 2001. From 1998 to 2000, he was seconded to the Policy Advisory Group in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In 2002, he joined the independent bar and was appointed a High Court judge in 2006 serving until 2017. He was then appointed to the Court of Appeal where he served from to 2023. Criminal matters form a significant part of the work of both courts, including jury trials for serious offences and appeals involving possible miscarriages of justice. From his 16 years on the bench, Denis gained substantial expertise in criminal law at both trial and appellate levels.

Denis retired from the judiciary in 2023.

Kaikōmihana Matua Tuarua | Deputy Chief Commissioner

Paula Rose

Paula Rose QSO has investigation experience, is a former member of the NZ Parole Board and has worked in various governance roles. Ms Rose’s experience in criminal justice comes from her work with NZ Police, including the National Manager of Road Policing.

Ms Rose is a very experienced crown governor. She is a Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and a member of the Electricity Authority. Previous governance roles include organisations such as WorkSafe NZ and Broadcasting Standards Association. Paula is in the role for a term of 5 years from 15 June 2020.

Ms Rose is a Hato Hone St John volunteer, and a member of the Priory Board. She was made a Commander of the Order of St John in 2025.

As Deputy Chief Commissioner, she chairs the CCRC Risk and Assurance Committee.

Kaikōmihana | Commissioners

Professor Tracey McIntosh

Professor Tracey McIntosh MNZM (Ngāi Tūhoe) is a Professor of Indigenous Studies at Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies) at the University of Auckland. Dr McIntosh is also currently the Chief Science Advisor for the Ministry of Social Development. She is strongly interested in the interface between research and policy and ensuring that processes are responsive to, and inclusive of, tikanga and mātauranga Māori. Her expertise in the criminal justice system has been centred on extensive research on the experience of Māori and Indigenous people with the criminal justice system, focusing on incarceration. Prof McIntosh’s research focuses on social harm reduction, increasing collective wellbeing and disrupting the intergenerational transmission of social inequalities. Tracey has been reappointed for a further term of 5 years from 2 December 2024.

Kingi Snelgar

Kingi Snelgar is a lawyer based in Tāmaki Makaurau. He has whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whakatōhea and Ngāi Tahu. He has experience working in the justice system as a prosecutor, defence lawyer and youth advocate. He has training that is contemporary and relevant to the CCRC’s work. Mr Snelgar is also an academic who understands tikanga Māori and te ao Māori.  Before working as a barrister, he worked at Meredith Connell, specialising in criminal prosecution, was a human rights observer at Standing Rock and was also a judge’s clerk at the Oglala Sioux Tribal Court in the USA. He has completed a Masters of Law at Harvard Law School as a Fulbright Scholar.  Kingi is in the role for a term of 5 years from 15 June 2020.

Associate Professor Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni

Associate Professor Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni MNZM (Sāmoan, Tongan) teaches Sociology and Criminology in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Auckland. Dr Suaalii-Sauni is a social scientist with legal training and has held several community board and government advisory governance roles. She was an inaugural board member of Goshen Mental Health Trust Services in Sāmoa, and in more recent years was on the Auckland Central Police District Commander’s Pacific advisory board, and the NZ Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s inaugural research ethics advisory panel.

Her expertise in the criminal justice system centres on developing Pacific indigenous jurisprudential theories and conducting Pacific indigenous criminological research. Her research portfolio has also focused on models for addressing social inequalities and inequities affecting Pacific peoples in Aotearoa. Dr Suaalii-Sauni has been appointed in the role for five-year term until 12 May 2026.

Emma Finlayson-Davis

Emma Finlayson-Davis is an experienced Auckland-based barrister with a distinguished career in criminal justice, inquiries, and legal education. She has a deep understanding of best-practice criminal and trial procedures, having served as a Senior Prosecutor with the Crown Solicitor’s office and as a Senior Lawyer/Team Leader with the Public Defence Service.

Emma has played key roles in high-profile inquiries, including as counsel assisting the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care, and co-lead Lawyer for the Dilworth Independent Inquiry. In addition to her practice, Emma is committed to legal education and professional development, serving as an Adjunct Instructor at the College of Law, where she teaches Advocacy and Criminal Law courses. She was appointed Kaikōmihana | Commissioner of Te Kāhui Board on 2 December 2024 for a five-year term.

Suzanne Robertson KC

Suzanne Robertson is a King’s Counsel (KC) with more than 30 years’ experience in legal practice, specialising in dispute resolution, legal analysis, and principled decision-making. She has appeared as lead counsel at all levels of New Zealand’s courts and is known for her clear, pragmatic advice and ability to distil complex issues.

She now focuses on providing strategic advice, legal opinions, and expert evidence. Suzanne also holds governance roles and is currently Chairperson of the Auckland Community Law Centre. Her work reflects a strong commitment to justice, fairness, and public service. Suzanne was appointed Kaikōmihana | Commissioner of Te Kāhui Board on 2 December 2024 for a five-year term.