A leading authority in public law and one of New Zealand’s most influential legal minds, Dr Mai Chen (LLB(Hons)(Otago), LLM(Harvard), HonLLD(Otago), CMInstD) has built a distinguished career shaping the nation’s constitutional, administrative and public‑policy landscape.
Renowned for her strategic insight, governance expertise and lifelong commitment to diversity and equity, she has become a defining voice across Aotearoa’s legal, business and public sectors. Born in Taiwan and raised in New Zealand from the age of six, her journey from immigrant beginnings to national leadership reflects an unwavering dedication to excellence, integrity and public service.
Mai’s legal practice is marked by innovation and impact. She co‑founded Chen Palmer Public and Employment Law Specialists with former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer, establishing New Zealand’s first boutique public law firm and Australasia’s first Washington‑style legislation and public‑policy practice.
As Managing Partner, she led the firm to national prominence, earning multiple awards and securing its reputation for delivering high‑level advice on complex public, constitutional and employment law matters. Her strategic ability to resolve multifaceted legal, policy and business challenges has made her a sought‑after adviser to senior leaders across government, corporate New Zealand and the wider community.
A respected governance leader, Mai has served as an Independent Non‑Executive Director on the Bank of New Zealand Board, where she chaired the People & Remuneration Committee. Her past public appointments include membership of the New Zealand Securities Commission, advisory roles with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Beachheads Programme, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and the board of AMP Life Limited (NZ).
Mai has also contributed significantly to the academic landscape as Adjunct Professor at both the University of Auckland Business School and the Faculty of Law, sharing her expertise with the next generation of lawyers, policy thinkers and business leaders.
A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Mai is the President of NZ Asian Lawyers, founder of NZ Asian Leaders, and the inaugural Chair of Global Women. Through the Superdiversity Institute, she has led groundbreaking work analysing the implications of New Zealand’s rapidly changing demographics on law, policy and business. Her research, advocacy and thought leadership have shifted national conversations around culture, equity, representation, and the changing face of Aotearoa.
Mai’s achievements have been widely recognised. She has twice been named a Top 10 Finalist for New Zealander of the Year, featured on the Global Diversity List’s Top 50 Diversity Figures in Public Life, and received multiple awards for excellence, leadership and influence—including Next Magazine’s Business Woman of the Year, the Women of Influence Award for Business and Enterprise, and the Supreme Judges Panel Award at the New Zealand Chinese Business Elite Awards.
A prolific writer, Mai is the bestselling author of The Public Law Toolbox and Transforming Auckland: The Creation of Auckland Council, as well as numerous government reports, inquiry papers and articles that have informed legislative reform and national policy development.
Today, Dr Mai Chen continues to work at the intersection of law, governance, culture and public policy, helping organisations navigate complexity while championing a more inclusive, representative and forward‑looking New Zealand.
We were impressed with the very specific homework Mai did on the Association before her presentation and it all hit the spot perfectly'. ... keep reading Retirement Villages Association
Mai had researched the audience and the industry. Her talk was topical, controversial and entertaining'
