We really do care. So we really listen, and always put your interests first.
Legal Matters is led by Tara Huckle, an experienced lawyer who purchased Hilden Law in 2022.
A long-term resident of Hawke’s Bay, Tara’s vision is to build a high-quality local law firm that delivers efficient and affordable legal services… yet approaches matters a bit differently to a traditional law firm.
To reflect this, the business was renamed as Legal Matters in 2024.
Like Tara, the Legal Matters team have a can-do attitude. We believe it’s essential to tell it like it is, but in an attentive and caring way in which you’ll always feel supported and respected.
Our team of experienced lawyers and support staff are friendly, approachable, caring, supportive and genuinely have your best interests at heart. We’re committed to listening to you, supporting you when legal decisions need to be made, and ensuring your legal matters are dealt with expertly, in the best way possible for you.
MEET OUR TEAM
Tara Huckle – BA LLB
“Our purpose is to serve our clients’ best interests. The best way to know what these interests are is to get to know our clients.”
Tara is an enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. She is also a qualified lawyer in England and Wales, and her home country of Zimbabwe.
As well as legal expertise, Tara brings wide commercial experience from the business services and hotel industries.
She loves to fish, cycle and garden - and is a dedicated member of a quiz team.
Email: tara@legalmatters.nz
Nigel Loughnan BA LLB
An enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, Nigel has many years’ experience in Hawke’s Bay law firms. He serves as a consultant to the firm. Nigel enjoys music, getting out on his motorbike and taking his dog Tim for walks.
Email: nigel@legalmatters.nz
Franziska Marshall
Fran has experience in a variety of legal offices in Napier and Tauranga and manages the admin support for Legal Matters. Fran loves to gym, walk, bike and bake, and can’t resist a good jigsaw puzzle.
Email:
fran@legalmatters.nz
Honesty and Integrity Matters
We believe that being your lawyer is a privilege and we are focused on delivering outstanding legal advice, guided by these values.
PUT CLIENT INTERESTS ABOVE ALL ELSE
Always act in the best interests of our clients, consistent with their wishes.
Build long term relationships with each of our clients, so they have peace of mind in knowing their family, home and business is protected from life’s curveballs.
EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO
Relentlessly pursue delivery of outstanding outcomes in everything we do.
Be responsive, efficient, and cost effective.
Be meticulous in attention to detail, think creatively to problem-solve.
INTEGRITY AND HONESTY IN ALL DEALINGS
Be frank, honest and truthful with clients, and realistic about expectations and outcomes.
Strive for each client to find comfort in knowing we have their back, and we have their best interests at heart.
MAKE WORKING WITH US EASY AND STRESS FREE
Deal with matters sensibly and realistically, prioritising the practical over the theoretical.
Explain things in a way that is easy to understand.
Where appropriate, use technology to speed and streamline processes.
