Charna Matchitt

Languages: English & Māori

Charna is a dedicated and approachable Solicitor with a strong focus on Family Law, Domestic and Family Violence, parenting disputes and property settlements. She understands that separation, parenting conflict and domestic violence can be among the most stressful and emotionally challenging experiences a person will face. Her approach is to provide clients with clear, practical advice while ensuring they feel heard, supported and confident about the steps ahead.

Charna assists clients across a broad range of family law matters, including parenting arrangements and disputes, property settlements, separation and divorce, contravention and enforcement issues, relocation matters, urgent parenting applications, domestic and family violence proceedings, and complex or high-conflict family law matters. She is particularly passionate about assisting parents and families and understands that these matters often require both sensitivity and decisive legal action. She works closely with her clients to identify the issues that matter most, explain their legal options in straightforward language and develop a practical strategy aimed at achieving the best possible outcome.

Before entering the legal profession, Charna spent over a decade working in education and was also a successful business owner. Her background in teaching has given her a valuable understanding of children, families, communication and the different ways in which family conflict can affect children. These skills have become an important part of her approach to family law practice. Charna‘s business background also provides her with practical insight when assisting clients with the financial aspects of separation and property settlements, particularly where businesses, property, liabilities and competing financial contributions are involved.

Known for being professional, compassionate and direct, Charna believes clients should understand what is happening in their matter and why. She provides realistic advice about options, risks and likely outcomes rather than overwhelming clients with legal terminology. While Charna aims to resolve family law disputes efficiently and sensibly wherever possible, she also recognises when negotiation is no longer enough. Where court intervention is necessary, she is committed to advocating firmly for her clients and ensuring their position is clearly and effectively presented.

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, Charna brings a culturally aware and client-focused perspective to her work. For Charna, family law is about more than resolving a legal dispute. It is about helping people regain certainty, understand their rights and move forward during what can be an incredibly difficult period in their lives.

Charna has experience in parenting matters and parenting disputes, Domestic and family violence matters, High-conflict parenting matters, Property settlements following separation, Contravention and enforcement proceedings, Urgent and interim parenting applications, Relocation disputes, Divorce and separation, Negotiation, Mediation and Dispute Resolution, Family Court proceedings. Charna also has experience across other areas of practice, including Criminal, Wills and Estates, Employment Law and Commercial Law.

Charna’s qualifications and memberships include:

1. Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Waikato
2. Practical Legal Training, Institute of Professional Legal Studies (NZ)
3. Bachelor of Teaching (NZ)
4. Advanced Diploma in Teaching (AU)
5. Diploma of Accounting (NZ)
6. Diploma in Business (NZ)
7. Admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
8. Admitted to the High Court of Australia
9. Admitted Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
10. Member of the Queensland Law Society
11. Member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland

Persoonlike Agtergrond – Belangstellings, Stokperdjies, Pretfeite

As a parent herself, Charna appreciates the importance of family, stability and ensuring that clients feel supported when making decisions that may significantly affect their children’s futures.

Outside of work, Charna enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events, traveling, playing sports herself, watching rugby league and rugby union.