Rick Palmer
Director
Kerikeri
Rick is the youngest son of the firm’s founder George Palmer. He has been involved in the firm since childhood and recalls his first job was delivering cheques around Kaikohe for which he was paid in ice cream!
After completing a law degree at Otago, Rick commenced his legal career in Christchurch. A long stint practising overseas included many years as a partner of a large UK law firm.
After a decade away, Rick returned to NZ with his family in 1998 to head Palmer Macauley’s Kerikeri branch where he specialises in business law, farming, trust and property work. He works at Board level as an advisor with a number of commercial clients. Having been in partnership for many years with Peter Macauley, Rick is now the firm’s sole director.
Active in the community, Rick was Chair of the Kerikeri High School Board of Trustees for nine years. He has been a keen supporter of Hospice for many years including being loud behind a microphone at various fund-raising events. Rick currently sits on the Boards of a number of companies including being the Northland director on Queenstown Resort College Limited, is on the Board of insurance mutual Justitia and is a trustee on Bay of Islands Creative Charitable Trust.
These days much of Rick's spare time is spent planting native trees and attacking weeds and pests with his partner Ria on a block of family land overlooking the Hokianga Heads. He still manages to run round a tennis court but golf these days seems to be limited to erratic displays at charity events.
Click here to contact Rick.
Danielle Meddings
Senior Solicitor
Kerikeri
Danielle was born and bred in Wales and immigrated to Kerikeri with her parents and two sisters in 2005. She later graduated with a Law and Psychology degree from the University of Otago in Dunedin and began her legal career at a large law firm in Auckland.
Danielle moved home to Kerikeri and joined Palmer Macauley in 2017. She specialises in Commercial Law with a focus on commercial leases, property transactions and business agreements.
In her spare time Danielle enjoys running half marathons and spending time outdoors with her toddler Olivia and husband Andy.
Click here to contact Danielle.
Lisa Baker
Associate
Kerikeri
Formerly from Auckland, Lisa joined the Kerikeri offices of Palmer Macauley in January 2012. In 2023 she was made an Associate in the company. She is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Legal Executives and has been a legal executive for most of her working life.
As well as assisting Rick with much of his work Lisa manages her own files as a legal executive handling conveyancing, subdivisions, finance, wills, powers of attorney and trusts, and enjoys working with our clients to ensure successful, timely outcomes.
After hours Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling, cooking, and reading.
Click here to contact Lisa.
Belinda Bamford
Practice Manager & Compliance Officer
Kerikeri
Originally from Melbourne, Belinda led a corporate career in Sydney before heading further north to undertake a senior executive role in Hong Kong, giving her the opportunity to travel and experience the diversity of Asia.
A qualified accountant and a country girl at heart, Belinda left her corporate life for the sea and tree change of the Bay of Islands. Surrounding herself with animals on a lifestyle block, she is also an avid diver who loves the call of the sea.
Click here to contact Belinda
Simone Scully
Senior Legal Assistant
Kerikeri
Simone is another product of Kaikohe, though is now based in the Kerikeri office. She came to law via a stint in the Kaikohe Court then an apprenticeship with a Kerikeri law firm.
Having joined Palmer Macauley in 2014 Simone is now part of the property and estates team. She’s also the ‘go to’ person when you want to know anything about anyone who lives within 50km radius of the area!
Simone is a devoted Mum including to her Bichon Frise dogs Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.
Click here to contact Simone.
Samantha Hadfield
Reception / Administration
Kerikeri
Originally from Auckland, Sam moved North in 2016 with her immediate family.
She then met her partner Dirk who introduced her to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. She and Dirk have plenty of babies in the form of dogs and they enjoy hunting most weekends.
Sam has been in reception/administration roles for a few years now and is looking forward to what the future brings with Palmer Macauley which she joined in 2023. If you’re after someone with a friendly can-do attitude, you’ll find it with her!
Annette Rosewarne
Legal Administrator
Kerikeri
Annette joined us in 2019 after making the shift North with her husband, having spent 52 years on the Hibiscus Coast.
Annette offers full secretarial and administration support to the team in Kerikeri.
In her spare time Annette can always be found on the water in the Bay of Islands whether it is sailing, paddle boarding, boating or swimming.
Click here to contact Annette.