Kristy McDonald, of Wellington, ONZM, for services to the law and governance
Kristy McDonald has advised Ministers of the Crown and government agency CEOs for nearly 40 years. She has represented the Crown in a number of significant criminal murder and serious fraud trials, reviewed petitions for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy, and provided advice to the Attorney General on the grant of legal aid to the Privy Council. She has been involved with a number of public enquiries, including the Pike River Royal Commission, leading the Crown response as Crown Counsel. She has held a range of governance roles and is currently Chair of Kiwifruit New Zealand, Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission, and a Director of ACC. Ms McDonald has held several leadership roles with the New Zealand Law Society and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999.