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Mai Chen LLB (Hons) (Otago), LLM (Harvard), CMinstD, HonLLD
(Otago) is a leading New Zealand barrister specializing in constitutional and
administrative law. She co-founded Chen Palmer, New Zealand’s first public law
specialist firm, with the Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer KC. She has held academic
roles at the University of Auckland and currently chairs the Superdiversity
Institute of Law, Policy and Business while serving as President of New Zealand
Asian Lawyers.
Mai has extensive governance experience, including serving on the Bank of New Zealand Board, the Securities Commission, and as the inaugural Chair of NZ Global Women and NZ Asian Leaders. Her contributions have earned her recognition as a Top 10 finalist for New Zealander of the Year (2014, 2016) and a spot on the Global Diversity List, supported by The Economist.
In 2023, the University of Otago awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Laws for her contributions to public law. She has authored several influential books, including Public Law in New Zealand and Public Law Toolbox.
Mai’s family emigrated to New Zealand when she was a child
so her father, an Olympic gymnastics coach, could train the national team.