Established in 2006, Gordon & Pilditch is the Office of the Crown Solicitor in Rotorua. The firm’s lawyers regularly appear over a wide range of serious criminal and regulatory cases, as well as coronial inquests and tribunals. We are specialists in court advocacy, provide legal advice to the Crown, Police and other Government agencies, both around Rotorua and nationwide.
This is us.
We are proud to have assembled a team of highly experienced senior litigators.
Amanda Gordon, LLB
Crown Solicitor / Partner
Fletcher Pilditch and Amanda Gordon formed Gordon & Pilditch in January 2006. Before that Amanda was working in Rotorua as a Crown prosecutor and civil litigator.
Amanda was appointed Crown Solicitor for Rotorua in 2013
Amanda regularly appears in the High and District Courts conducting trials, sentencing and appeals. She also provides legal advice to the Police and other Crown agencies.
Amanda manages a range of work for government departments, including parole hearings on behalf of the Department of Corrections.
Anna McConachy, LLB(Hons), BSC
Partner
Anna joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2018, and was made a Partner of the firm in 2021. She relocated to Rotorua from Auckland, where she practiced as a Crown prosecutor and civil litigator.
Anna specialises in criminal and regulatory prosecutions, regularly conducting jury trials, sentencings and appeals in the High and District Courts. She appears on a wide range of regulatory cases, including prosecutions under the Resource Management Act 1991 and Civil Aviation Act 1990. Anna’s previous experience includes resource management, civil, consumer and competition work (both litigation and advisory).
Laurie McMaster, LLB(HONS).BA (HONS)
Associate
Laurie joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2024. Laurie was made an associate of the firm in early 2025. Laurie was a police officer in Scotland and New Zealand prior to starting her legal career with the Public Defence Service in Hamilton and the Hawke’s Bay. She came to Gordon & Pilditch after a brief return to Hamilton where she was a Crown Prosecutor.
Laurie regularly appears in the District Court and High Court on behalf of the Crown as well as on instructions from government agencies.
Kris Bucher, LLB(HONS).BA
Associate
Kris joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2023. Kris was made an associate of the firm in early 2025. He began his legal career in 2018 as a Judges’ Clerk in the Christchurch District Court. In 2019, he joined the Public Defence Service in Christchurch, where he worked as a criminal defence lawyer. He then worked as an employed barrister operating out of Walker Street Chambers in Christchurch, predominantly practicing in the criminal law.
Kris regularly appears in the District and High Court on a variety of criminal matters including trials, sentencings, appeals and all other aspects of the trial process. He also appears on regulatory cases, including prosecutions under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Tayla Afoa, LLB.BA
Solicitor
Tayla joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2022. Before that, she worked as a solicitor for Kāhui Legal in both Wellington and Rotorua. Whilst there, she primarily specialised in criminal defence, Māori land issues, Waitangi Tribunal claims, and matters brought before the Teacher’s Disciplinary Tribunal.
Tayla regularly appears in the District Court, Youth Court and High Court, on a variety of matters including trials, sentencings, appeals, and matters brought under the Criminal Recovery (Proceeds) Act 2009.
In 2024, Tayla was one of three junior litigators in New Zealand selected for the prestigious Pegasus Scholarship, coordinated by the Crown Law Office NZ and the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple UK. Through this, she gained invaluable experience undertaking temporary placements at leading barristers’ chambers in London.
Tayla is an active member of Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa and was the Waiariki / Bay of Plenty representative from 2020 to 2022.
Sarah Stratford, LLB
Solicitor
Sarah joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2024 as an administrator before being admitted to the bar. She completed her studies at the University of Waikato. Prior to becoming a solicitor, Sarah was a legal secretary for six years working in different areas of law including criminal.
Sarah regularly appears in the District Court on a variety of criminal matters including bail hearings and sentencings.
Sylvia Neild, LLB, BMus
Solicitor
Sylvia began her legal career in 2024 with Gordon & Pilditch after completing her law studies earlier that year at Victoria University of Wellington. Prior to studying law, Sylvia completed a Bachelor of Music at Waikato University, majoring in classical viola performance. She then worked as an administrator in Hamilton for two years.
Sylvia regularly appears in the District Court on a variety of criminal matters.
Kiri Danielle, LLB, BEd(ECE), DipBicJour
Solicitor
Kiri joined Gordon & Pilditch in 2025, bringing a diverse background in law, education, and journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, complemented by a Diploma in Bi-Cultural Journalism. Prior to her legal career, Kiri gained extensive experience in environmental advocacy, media, and education.
Kiri works across a variety of criminal matters with a particular interest in environmental prosecutions.
Sadie Seal
Scheduler
Makaela Ward
Legal Assistant
Emma Henderson
Personal Assistant
Our Expertise
Gordon & Pilditch is the Office of the Crown Solicitor for the Rotorua, Taupō and Tokoroa Region. Amanda Gordon (Crown Solicitor) and Anna McConachy lead a litigation team with experience in criminal and civil litigation before tribunals and courts at all levels. Our expertise includes:
- Prosecuting serious criminal cases on behalf of the Crown.
- Conducting appeals on behalf of the Crown in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
- Providing legal advice to the New Zealand Police and other government agencies.
- Conducting prosecutions under the Resource Management Act 1991 for regional councils.
- Conducting prosecutions for the Serious Fraud Office and other government agencies.
- Conducting prosecutions for the Civil Aviation Authority nationwide.
- Civil agency appearances.
- Civil litigation on behalf of the Crown and other government agencies.
- Appearing at coronial inquests and tribunals.
We are proud to have assembled a team of highly experienced senior litigators.
Our Address:
Pukaki Centre
First Floor
1144 Pukaki Street
Rotorua 3010
Bay of Plenty
P O Box 740 Rotorua 3040
New Zealand
Contact Us:
Email: prosecution@gordonpilditch.co.nz
Telephone: (07) 349 3986