Baden Vertongen

Experience

• 

  The Ministry of Fisheries

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2003

  Customary Fisheries Advisor

  From 1998-2003 I was a Customary Fisheries Advisor with the Ministry of Fisheries. My role related to the development and implementation of regulatory mechanisms to provide for customary fishing. I also led consultation and education with iwi over a range of fisheries issues.

• 

  Te Ohu Kaimoana (Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission)

  Jun 2003 - Dec 2003

  In-house legal team

  I worked for Te Ohu Kaimoana in their in-house legal team in the second half of 2003, during the time that the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 was being developed. While there I also assisted with leasing of quota and the resolution of disputes associated with allocation issues arising from this.

• 

  Kensington Swan

  Jan 2004 - Feb 2013

  Senior Associate

  I worked from Law Clerk to Senior Associated at Kensington Swan with a strong focus on Māori legal issues. Duiring this time I advised on Treaty Settlements negotiations, including the establishment of corporate and governance entities for Māori (such as Post Settlement Governance Entities or Mandated Iwi Organisations), and assisting with the on-going operation of these structures.

• 

  Baden Vertongen

  Jan 2013 - now

  Legal and Mediation Services

  I provide a range of advice on legal issues affecting Māori organisations and those working with Māori. I also assist organisations with their in-house legal capacity. As an independent mediator I specialise in helping resolve issues between or within Māori organizations, assisting with issues between Māori and non-Māori organisations, and in other cross-cultural relationships. I am a Fellow of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand, a Professional Member of the Resolution Institute, and authorised as a mediator under the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme. Show less

• 

  Chen Palmer

  Feb 2013 - Jun 2013

  Principle - Māori Legal

  I led the Māori Legal team at Chen Palmer where I advised on issues associated with the full range of cultural and commercial redress options included within Treaty Settlements such as Crown forest licensed lands, commercial property, vesting of cultural redress sites, and relationship mechanisms. I also worked on the establishment of corporate and governance entities for Māori (such as Post Settlement Governance Entities or Mandated Iwi Organisations), and assisted with the on-going operation of these structures. I have also worked with clients on a range of natural resources issues including Māori fisheries, aquaculture, foreshore and seabed, climate change and forestry. I have appeared before the Waitangi Tribunal and Parliamentary Select Committees on these, and other, issues. Show less

• 

  Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ)

  Jan 2015 - now

  Member - Patents Māori Advisory Committee
• 

  Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa/Māori Law Society

  Sept 2021 - Aug 2023

  Tumuaki Tāne/Co-President
• 

  Health Research Council of New Zealand

  Jul 2023 - now

  Board Member