Rt. Hon Dame Sian Elias - LLB (Hons)

After graduating from The University of Auckland in 1972 with a LLB (Hons), Sian practised as a barrister 1975 - 1988, took silk in 1988, became a Judge of the High Court in 1995 and was appointed Chief Justice in 1999.

Sian has appeared in a number of Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal hearings, and also appeared as counsel in litigation relating to the Treaty, as well as many non-Treaty cases. In 1990 she was awarded the commemorative medal for services to the legal profession, and in 1999 she was made Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and appointed to the Privy Council. In 2003 Sian was appointed to the Supreme Court.

Sian received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.