The New Zealand Bar Association is expanding its mentoring programme and is looking for more barristers who are interested in acting as mentors.

The NZBA is also hosting events in several centres to introduce its mentoring programme. The first will be held in Auckland on Thursday 8 March at Bankside Chambers, 88 Shortland Street, at 5:30pm.

NZBA Mentoring Committee member Maria Dew says this will be a great opportunity for barristers in the Auckland and Northland region to hear from those currently involved in the programme and to consider joining, either as a mentor or a mentee.

Barristers and other practitioners who are not currently NZBA members are also invited to attend, and junior/employed barristers and practitioners intending to join the independent bar are likewise encouraged to register their interest.

Further information about the Auckland event is available on the NZBA website or by emailing nzbar@nzbar.org.nz.

More mentors sought

The NZBA is looking for more intermediate level mentors (5 to 15 years PQE), more regional mentors, more female mentors and more ethnically diverse mentors.

It says it will also take a more active role in matching mentees with mentors in a way which will most assist them in their professional development. Where suitable mentors are not available in a mentee's city, the NZBA will assist the mentee to develop a mentoring relationship with a mentor in another city.

Mentoring Committee member Lara Mannis says the relationship is not one-sided, with mentors often gaining as much from the experience as mentees.

She says there are significant benefits for the profession as a whole, as it encourages well-being and relationship-building, which in turn assists with increasing diversity at the bar and encouraging talented practitioners to join and stay at the bar.