Catherine Green

⚒️ What do you do?

I wear several hats.

I am a director of The ADR Centre, the home of the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre (NZDRC), the New Zealand International Arbitration Centre (NZIAC), Building Disputes Tribunal, the Family Dispute Resolution Centre (FDR Centre), and the Independent Complaint and Review Authority (ICRA).

In that role I work with stakeholders across a wide range of sectors and industries both domestically and internationally to promote alternative dispute resolution and to lead the design, development and implementation of dispute resolution processes. I also maintain a private practice as a mediator, arbitrator, and adjudicator with respect to commercial and construction disputes.

🏆 What is your proudest achievement?

My most significant accomplishment in the last year has to be completing an MBA with the University of Auckland Business School.  

It gave me a unique opportunity to hone my business skills and engage closely with and learn from those in my cohort who came from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds. We can become siloed in our way of thinking and working. I think it is vital to always strive to learn new things and challenge existing views. This was a great opportunity to do both.  

⌛ There are now 25 hours in a day! How do you spend your extra hour?

We have lots of exciting projects on the go. We recently launched a new contractual adjudication process with both NZIAC and NZDRC. We have also been developing software to underpin the delivery of our services. It’s been busy! If I had more time, to be honest I’d probably be catching up on some sleep. 

🚀 If you weren't a lawyer, what would you do?

This one’s easy – I’d pursue my passion for underwater and astro photography. I’m lucky to know some incredibly talented and inspiring photographers who I would love to learn more from to develop my own work further. 

😋 Your favourite food haunt (bonus points if it's off the beaten track!)

La Guarida in Havana Vieja, Cuba. This is where the famous Cuban movie Fresa v Chocolate was filmed.

The restaurant is off the beaten track on the 3rd storey of a dilapidated building up an old once-grand staircase. Located in one of the poorest areas and what looks like an abandoned property, the food and service is simply stunning. A wonderful juxtaposition and incredibly memorable experience. 

*This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.