This full‑day webinar is designed specifically for School Guidance Counsellors in Aotearoa New Zealand who work at the intersection of care, ethics and the law. Bringing together leading voices from education, youth law, family systems, LGBTQIA+ advocacy and privacy law, the programme offers clear, practical guidance on navigating complex legal and pastoral responsibilities with confidence. Participants will explore real‑world challenges including youth decision‑making rights, high‑conflict family separation, inclusive support for LGBTQIA+ students, statutory pastoral care obligations, emerging privacy and AI risks, and working ethically with external agencies and legal systems. Grounded in Aotearoa practice and lived school realities, this webinar equips counsellors with the tools, clarity and confidence needed to support rangatahi and tamariki while staying legally sound and relationally grounded. 

Presenters

Dr Alison Burke, Head of Counselling, Westlake Girls High School
Alison completed her training at Auckland University, graduating with a Master’s in Education (Counselling specialisation) with First class Honours. She then went on to complete a PhD at Auckland University, researching the lived experiences of male victims of intimate partner violence in heterosexual relationships. Alison has had articles published in academic peer reviewed journals both in New Zealand and overseas. Alison has worked with young people firstly as a secondary school teacher and then as a counsellor and facilitator both in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. She is currently Head of Counselling with a counselling role at a large secondary school on Auckland’s North Shore. Alison was involved in a research project with two other counsellors and counsellor educators from Waikato University that focused on counselling as a site of learning with particular reference to key competency use and development within the counselling space. Conference joint keynote presentation, workshops and published journal articles resulted from this research. Alison has also had personal articles published and been a reviewer for articles submitted for publication in peer reviewed academic journals both within New Zealand and overseas. Alison has been a fully accredited member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) since 2007. She adheres to the principles of the NZAC Code of Ethics and is committed to on-going professional development, reading and supervision to ensure best practice.

Sarah Guy, Education and Engagement Manager, YouthLaw Aotearoa
Sarah is the Education and Engagement Manager at Youth Law. Having worked in the community sector for many years, Sarah has an extensive knowledge and experience in the education field. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering the youth she works with to fulfil their individual potential. With a friendly approach, Sarah is keen to make the law and youth’s rights known and accessible across the board. Sarah’s love for art and laughter filters through every aspect of her life, and is always equipped with a bad joke or two.

Victoria Marsden, Head of Student Services and Counsellor, Hobsonville Point Secondary School
Victoria has completed both a Masters in Counselling (2008) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision (Counselling) at Waikato University (2017). Victoria is the Head of Te Ara Manaaki Student Services at Hobsonville Point Secondary School, with a counselling role. She leads a team of counsellors and the school nursing staff. Victoria is a fully accredited member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) and adheres to the principles of the NZAC Code of Ethics. Victoria works within a restorative, narrative and social constructionist framework and has published and been a reviewer for articles submitted for publication in peer reviewed academic journals both within New Zealand and overseas. Victoria has presented at conferences and delivered numerous workshops on both disordered eating and creating safe environments for our Rainbow rangatahi in schools.

Jill Goldson, Director and Consultant, The Family Matters Centre
Jill Goldson is Director of The Family Matters Centre in Auckland. She is a renowned and multiply awarded therapeutic mediator with specialist skills in complex family disputes which frequently constellate around parent child contact problems. Jill has over thirty five years of working with families, in UK and Australasia, and has extensive qualifications and awards. For a decade she was a senior lecturer and curriculum designer for undergraduate programmes in in tertiary studies in counselling and social work. She has published academically (publications available on request) and has recently published a book in 2025 Child Inclusion in Parenting Dispute Media on: The Key to Keeping Family Separation Out of Court which is being received well and which is also now translated into Spanish and Ukranian. A consultant to the NZ Ministry of Justice on family justice reform in 2019, her work on child inclusive practice, and attendant lobbying expedited an amendment to NZ family law (2022 The Family Court Supporting Children in Court Act) which heralded a change in out of court processes. Jill was contracted to author and deliver an on line training for all NZ family mediators in 2024 on the topic of child inclusion. Her multiple awards include a Churchill Fellowship, and she is regularly invited to give papers interntionally and at home, and gives media interviews whilst continuing to train colleagues and run courses for parents and families. She keeps up her clinical practice and receives frequent referrals on complex cases from legal professionals.

Leo Donnelly, ONZM, Barrister, Education Law NZ
Leo Donnelly ONZM is a former Ombudsman of New Zealand and is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in official information and privacy law. As an Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman and a senior investigator at the Office of the Ombudsman, Leo spent 3 decades investigating and reviewing complaints about the administrative actions and procedures of state sector organisations and recommending resolutions to promote fair, just and transparent delivery of services to the public. This involved assessing individual actions and omissions in the context of an organisations systems and culture and statutory responsibilities. Leo brings governance and strategy expertise and wide experience in complaint handling and dispute resolution.


Anchali Anandanayagam, Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin
Anchali Anandanayagam is a partner at Hudson Gavin Martin, a corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law firm boasting the largest and most experienced legal team in the country focused on technology, media and IP. With extensive expertise in AI, emerging technologies, and data privacy, Anchali has spent the last two decades advising both public and private sector customers and their suppliers on corporate and commercial transactions where technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) assets are at the core. In the context of AI, Anchali often advises on the development, procurement and commercialisation of assets that leverage AI, the regulatory requirements in New Zealand, and the data privacy implications. Anchali has received global recognition for her work and expertise from internationally acclaimed legal directories such as Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Media Law International. Anchali sits on the board of Women in Film and Television New Zealand and is a member of the executive committee of Digital Identity NZ.


Jack Stone, Senior Solicitor, Harrison Stone
Jack regularly provides legal advice and representation to school principals and boards on a broad range of education and employment law matters, including teacher competence and disciplinary processes, student discipline, parent complaints, Teaching Council processes, name suppression, historic abuse claims, and Privacy Act and Official Information Act requests. He also supports principals and boards in disciplinary meetings, employment investigations, and mediations, and has appeared in the District Court, the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal, and the Employment Relations Authority.Jack has presented at conferences for a range of education sector groups, including secondary and primary school principals, Māori principals, and aspiring principal development programmes.

Sarah Linehan, Counselor, Hope Filled Conversations