Sian elias biography template

New Zealand judge, and 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand

Dame Sian Seerpoohi EliasGNZM KC PC^[1] (born 13 March 1949) was the 12th chief justice of New Zealand,^[2] and was therefore the most senior member of the country's judiciary.

She was the presiding judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand and on several occasions acted as administrator of the Government.

Early life and family

Born in London of an Armenian father and a Welsh mother (hence her Welsh forename and Armenian surname), Elias arrived in New Zealand in 1952, and later attended Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland.^[3] She completed a law degree from the University of Auckland in 1970, and then undertook further study at Stanford University.^[2] She took up employment with an Auckland law firm in 1972, beginning her career as a barrister three years later.

She also served as a member of the Motor Spirits Licensing Appeal Authority and of the Working Pa