Angela Thomson, JP, PhD
Writer, Researcher, Historian
Current: Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand
IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law
Freelance Writer
Education: University of Auckland
Matamata College
I asked Angela of her memories of Matamata College. Surprisingly she didn’t mention anything
Academic. Her memories were mainly sporting. As a member of the athletics team she competed against Elizabeth Dearlove, one of NZ’s top sprinters and holder of numerous sprint records at school. She remembers once being told not to practice high jump with her sprigs on – but of course she didn’t take heed of that advice and ended up sprigging herself in an artery near her ankle. With blood spurting everywhere she was rushed off to hospital in the back of Mr Fenton’s car. A couple of stitches and a tetanus shot later and it was back to practice! She also played netball for College Reserve which was a lot of fun. Her favourite time and place during her college years was relaxing in the Common Room and having Mr Murray as the 7th Form teacher.
On leaving school Angela joined the RNZAF and that was one of the best times of her life. She only left to start a family and enjoyed being a Mum so much that she went on to have nine children – aged from 10 to 27! (Jeremy, Christopher, Benjamin, Mathew, Brittany, Sara-Jane, Samuel, Thomas and Katie). Her son Sam who was born with severe spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy has become the inspiration for her children’s books and he was the main reason Angela went to University to study law.
Now for her life-time experiences:
Angela’s Linked In Profile gives an extensive, interesting and fascinating resume of what one person can achieve. This is a very brief account of her achievements.
Freelance Writing: A commissioned literary project on the Te Whau Pathway, a work in progress along the historic Whau River. It is an extensive and exciting project undertaken by the Whau coastal Walkway Environmental Trust, Whau Local Board, Henderson-Massey Local Board and Auckland Transport. It is expected to be completed within the next five to eight years – the pathway, not the book.
Also researching and writing an historical novel based on RNZAF Base Hobsonville, Auckland and Halavo Bay, Solomon Islands
Enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Academic Researcher: Thesis Title, Combating Climate Change: Religious engagement in the interface between ethics, policy and law.
Editor: New Zealand Postgraduate Law E-Journal
Artist: Contemporary Artist from 1990-2013
Business Owner: Ratbags Clothing, Christchurch
Royal New Zealand Air Force: Aircraftsperson (AC) working within administration
Honors and Awards: Doctor of Philosophy in Law, Recipient of New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) (In recognition for attested military service for NZ)
Publications: Numerous on Climate Change Policymaking, Cultural Economic and Social Sustainability, International Environmental Law
Volunteer Experience and Causes: Waitakere Community Law Centre, Staff/Student Consultative Committee (University of Auckland), Hobsonville Point Resident’s Society, Hobsonville Point Health and Safety Committee, Justice of the Peace.
Causes Angela cares about: Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Children, Civil Rights and Social Action, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Disaster and Humanitarian Relief, Politics, Poverty Alleviation, Science and Technology, Social Services.
Organizations Angela Supports: Greenpeace, UNICEF, Save the Children Foundation and World Vision.