David Roughan

A message to clients and colleagues

After 60 years learning (at VUW in Wellington) to be and practising (in Wellington, Whanganui, Hamilton and Whangarei) as a lawyer I will not be renewing my practising certificate as a Barrister & Solicitor when it expires on 30 June 2026.

I will, however, continue as a Notary Public.

Ceasing Legal Practice

While completing my degree part-time I started as a legal clerk in Wellington in 1970, was admitted to the Bar on 20 December 1972 and have held a practising certificate since February 1973, practising as a District Solicitor with Public Trust, Partner in Connell Lamb Gerard & Co, Locum with McCaw Lewis and Sole Practitioner as Northlaw.

It has been a privilege to serve clients, colleagues and the wider Northland community since September 1973.

Notarial Services Continuing

I will continue to offer Notary Public services under my Notarial Faculty granted in 1977.

Notarial services include:

  • Certification of documents for use overseas
  • Witnessing signatures
  • Apostille and authentication support
  • General notarial attestations

These services will continue to be available by appointment.

Make an Appointment

Notarial services are available by prior arrangement.

Professional Contributions

  • Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries – Foundation member
    • Fellow
    • Elected NZ Governor (2018–2019)
  • Property Law Section, New Zealand Law Society – Foundation member
    • Elected Executive Committee member (9 years)
  • New Zealand Law Society (1973–2025) – Member
    • Elected Member of Auckland Branch Council (27 months)
    • Appointed National Friends Panel
  • Auckland District Law Society Inc. (now The Law Association) – Foundation member
    • Elected Council member (7 terms)
    • Appointed Member of its Friends Panel
    • Appointed Member of its Documents & Precedents Committee
    • Appointed Member of its Property Disputes Committee

Notary Public since 1978. Foundation member and Fellow (sole NZ Governor 2018-9) of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries

Foundation member of the Property Law Section of NZLS, serving 9 of its first 21 years as an elected member of its Executive Committee

NZLS member 1973-2025  and Foundation member of its Friends Panel, serving 27 months of the first 11 years of its Auckland branch as the only lawyer outside Auckland elected to the branch council.

Foundation member of ADLS [now The Law Assn of NZ] Inc. having served as an elected member of 7 of its first 11 councils and (for more than 20 years) as an appointed member of 4 of its committees and of its Friends Panel

(c) 2026 Norlaw