Harder likes a Fair Go [1]
Friday, November 16, 2007 - 14:45. Updated on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 14:11.
Sir,
For your information in my initial application to be admitted as a law practitioner in Tonga I disclosed in my affidavit to the Supreme Court that I had consented to my name being removed from the NZ High Court Roll and the detail of the matters I admitted to. There was no dishonesty related matters, rather judgement calls. Since that time I have rehabilitated with appropriate courses including attending Alcoholics anonymous. I now do not smoke, drink or use any other substance. I work hard and I care about other people.
I am also aware that law practitioner Nelson Tupou personally advised the President of the Tongan Law Society Laki Niu in April 2007 of my postion before he consented to my limited admission on behalf of Mr Pohiva and Mr Uata.
I have worked hard for "free" for 6 months to help ensure that the accused obtain a fair hearing and to date the justice system in Tonga has given the accused a "fair go." I would like the same "fair go".
It is false and defamatory to say that the legal profession in both New Zealand and Tonga are infuriated by Tonga issuing a certificate for Harder to practice in Tonga
For your information I am about to apply for re-admission to the bar in New Zeland and that since the NZPA story you refer to ran in the NZ Herald, the Dominion and the Christchurch Press on 18 October 2007 over 100 NZ lawyers and a number of Tonga lawyers have agreed to thier names being used in support of my application. The NZPA has also since ran a follow up story stating that "lawyers in Tonga and NZ have jumped to the aid of Christopher Harder".
I can advise that the NZ Herald, the Dominion and the Christchurch Press have each been written to by my legal counsel and have been advised that variopus remarks in the NZPA are inaccurate, false and defamatory.
I have been advised by Mr Clive Edwards that I am in good standing with the Supreme Court and that my license is not currently under review.
Christopher Harder
Law Practitioner of Tonga
equalizer [at] xtra [dot] co [dot] nz