CPD Points: 1
Starts: 5:00pm Tuesday, 25 Nov 2025
Ends: 6:00pm Tuesday, 25 Nov 2025
Location: Online
View MapGroup Pricing 10-15: $450.00
Group Pricing 2-4: $250.00
Group Pricing 5-9 : $350.00
Member ticket: $0.00 Members Free
Non-Member Ticket: $75.00
Using her legal background as a springboard, Vanushi Walters, has built a career defined by purpose, advocacy, and leadership. With experience spanning private practice, the community sector, and governance roles at Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission, her work reflects a deep commitment to justice and human rights.
In this conversation with Ish Jayanandan, Vanushi reflects on her journey from Sri Lanka to Aotearoa, from lawyer to Parliamentarian, and the pivotal moments that shaped her professional path. Expect a candid discussion about influence, integrity, and how legal training can drive impact well beyond the courtroom.
This is an exploration of a career dedicated to fairness, voice, and meaningful change.
Our A Chat with series shines a light on legal professionals whose careers have taken unexpected and inspiring turns. Through candid conversations, we explore how a career in law can be anything but ordinary - if you're open to possibility.
Event Speakers
Vanushi Walters
Vanushi is a Sri Lankan New Zealander having moved from Sri Lanka to New Zealand with her family in 1987. She has a background in law and advocacy, with both national and international experience, and has worked in private practice, the public sector, and the community sector.
Vanushi has held Governance roles with Amnesty International, Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa and as a Trustee with Foundation North. She has also held senior management roles as the General Manager of YouthLaw Aotearoa and as the manager of the advisory and research team at the Human Rights Commission. She is currently a Labour List MP and Shadow Attorney-General.
She was elected as a member of Parliament for Upper Harbour in 2020 and has returned as Labour List MP 54th Parliament, sitting as the Shadow Attorney General and Spokesperson for Associate Foreign Affairs.
Vanushi is a Sri Lankan New Zealander having moved from Sri Lanka to New Zealand with her family in 1987. She has a background in law and advocacy, with both national and international experience, and has worked in private practice, the public sector, and the community sector.
Vanushi has held Governance roles with Amnesty International, Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa and as a Trustee with Foundation North. She has also held senior management roles as the General Manager of YouthLaw Aotearoa and as the manager of the advisory and research team at the Human Rights Commission. She is currently a Labour List MP and Shadow Attorney-General.
She was elected as a member of Parliament for Upper Harbour in 2020 and has returned as Labour List MP 54th Parliament, sitting as the Shadow Attorney General and Spokesperson for Associate Foreign Affairs.
Ish Jayanandan
Ish is of Sri Lankan descent and has practised as a Barrister Sole since 2010, working in criminal law for the past 23 years. Her trial work is varied in nature and includes Judge Alone and Jury Trials in both the High Court and District Court. She also undertakes Court of Appeal and Supreme Court work. Ish is a Legal Aid PAL 4 & Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Legal Aid provider and is on the Duty Lawyer and PDLA rosters.
Ish is on the Bar Council of the NZBA. She is also President of the SABA as well as a member of the TLA, AWLA, IAWJ, IBA and CLA. Ish co-chairs both the NZBA Criminal Committee and its Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Ish is of Sri Lankan descent and has practised as a Barrister Sole since 2010, working in criminal law for the past 23 years. Her trial work is varied in nature and includes Judge Alone and Jury Trials in both the High Court and District Court. She also undertakes Court of Appeal and Supreme Court work. Ish is a Legal Aid PAL 4 & Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Legal Aid provider and is on the Duty Lawyer and PDLA rosters.
Ish is on the Bar Council of the NZBA. She is also President of the SABA as well as a member of the TLA, AWLA, IAWJ, IBA and CLA. Ish co-chairs both the NZBA Criminal Committee and its Diversity and Inclusion Committee.