The Business South Legal Team (L-R) Ronda Tokona, Dr Kathryn McAuley and David Browne by Sandy Jefferies

Introducing the Business South Legal Team

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Business South's team of specialist lawyers can assist you with a full range of employment-related issues from compliance, collective bargaining, restructuring and redundancy to employment relationships, personal grievance and workplace accidents.

The team is well-versed in all areas of employment law and dedicated to supporting members navigate any legal issues. Members can receive a free initial consultation, and subsequent action is provided at highly competitive member-only rates.

Employment law affects most of us at some point in our lives, so it is important to ensure you get good advice.

With that in mind, meet the members of our Legal Team:


David Browne Grad Dip Tch, BA, MFA, LLB 

General Counsel, Manager Legal & HR Services/Tohutohu Ahuwhaanui, Kaiwhakahaere aa Ture/Rauemi Tangata

David is passionate about employment law and the role he plays supporting the hard-working membership of Business South. Key to delivering good outcomes are the relationships the team establishes with each member. Over the past eight years, David and the team have successfully dealt with the full range of employment law issues, including the ongoing challenges faced by employers since the onset of Covid-19. In 2021, David was named the Greenwood Roche In-House Lawyer of Year. The award was a real honour for the team, and an acknowledgment of their expertise supporting members to achieve their goals.


Ronda Tokona BA, LLB, MBA 

Senior Solicitor/Poutoko Ture Maataamua

Ronda has significant experience in the employment law area having worked for both employers and employees in a law firm, for a union, and as a consultant. She also acquired considerable experience handling disciplinary matters working as a Visiting Justice for the Ministry of Justice, and valuable business experience as a Managing Director of a finance franchise. She has invaluable experience in governance having sat on several boards, panels and committees at both local and national levels. Ronda brings a broad set of very relevant skills to her role servicing a member employer/business organisation. She looks forward to offering her legal and business expertise to the members of Business South.


Dr Kathryn McAuley LLB, MBHL, PhD

Solicitor/Roia

Kathryn brings a passion for medical law to the suite of legal experience in Business South. She has significant experience in advocacy and enjoys the opportunities of representation of Business South members particularly in mediation. Kathryn’s outstanding research skills ensure solid and strong legal advice, and the ability to present information in an understandable way for members.


You can contact our Legal Team by calling 0800 42 49 68.