Legal aid lawyers in Whanganui
23 lawyers at 17 firms in Whanganui can take legal aid cases. Their phone numbers are below. Legal aid helps pay for a lawyer if you can't afford one.
Not sure where to start? Read what to do first below, or call the Ministry of Justice legal aid line on 0800 253 425 (free, weekdays 8am to 5pm).
What to do first
If you've been charged
- Apply for legal aid as soon as you're charged. Don't wait for your first day in court.
- On your first day in court, ask for the duty lawyer. It's free, and they can help you apply for legal aid.
- For most charges, the Ministry chooses your legal aid lawyer. For very serious charges (more than 10 years in prison), you can choose your own.
If it's a family matter
- Find a family legal aid lawyer first. Call a few from the list until one can take your case.
- Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid. Bring details of your income, savings, debts and anything you own.
- Bring any letters or court papers about your case, and your partner's income details if you have a partner.
If it's a civil matter
- Civil legal aid can cover things like ACC, problems at work, money and housing disputes.
- Find a civil legal aid lawyer first. Fewer lawyers do this work, so start calling early.
- Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid.
Legal aid in Whanganui at a glance
- 15 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 13 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 7 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- 15 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 11 give family legal advice.
- 8 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (4), Waitangi Tribunal (1) cases.
- Languages other than English: Te Reo Māori (1).
Free help near Whanganui
Free legal advice
Community Legal Advice Whanganui
Whanganui office · In Whanganui
Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Whanganui
120 Guyton Street, Whanganui
In Whanganui
06 345 0844Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Whanganui District Court
10 Market Place, Whanganui
In Whanganui
0800 268 787On your first day in court, ask at reception for the duty lawyer. It's free if you don't have a lawyer.
Nearest by distance from the centre of Whanganui. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in Whanganui, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Whanganui, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
Anna Brosnahan-Barrister
(06) 34880041 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceAnna St Clair Brosnahan
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Kathryn Nancy Crooks · Family, Family legal advice · (06) 3491599
- Zavier Rose Duncan · Family
Blair Piper Barrister
(021) 028572341 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerBlair Mathew Piper
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMark John Bullock
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Alicia Jane Matthews · Family
- Sheryle Anne Proctor · Family, Family legal advice
The Defence Bar (Xavier Hall Barrister)
(021) 6226081 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerXavier Jonathan Gerard Hall
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceAshley Sarah Hargreaves
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Edward John Unsworth · Family, Civil
- Sarah Elizabeth Brown · Family, Family legal advice, Civil
James Gilbert Barrister
(021) 3005511 legal aid lawyer
FamilyCivilJames Barnard Gilbert
Jamie Waugh Criminal Defence Law
(021) 7802632 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Jamie Harold Cairns Waugh · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Family legal advice, Civil · (06) 2134212
- Jeremy Philip Seal · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer
Megan Jaquiery - Barrister T/A Mj Law
(021) 023930061 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Megan Claire Jaquiery
Raukawa Simon - Barrister And Solicitor
(06) 34580401 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthTe Reo MāoriRaukawa Rangihuia Mamaeroa Simon
Richard Leith - Barrister & Solicitor
(06) 34845291 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthRichard John Leith
Ruapehu Legal
(06) 34502351 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilWaitangi TribunalMark Duncan McGhie
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental health- Grace Margaret Gray Adlam · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer · (05)08 281 3743
- Scott Ryan Oliver · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer, Family, Family legal advice, Mental health
Victoria Law
(06) 34882062 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental health- Debbie Marie Goodlet · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
- Stephanie Jayne Burlace · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Family legal advice, Civil, Mental health
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceCivilChristopher Brien Wilkinson-Smith
Verified with the Ministry of Justice legal aid list on 12 October 2026. Lawyer details are from the Ministry of Justice, used under CC BY 4.0. We group them by firm and town and add links to firm pages. The Ministry of Justice decides who gets legal aid; Find A Lawyer is not part of the Ministry. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
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