KEY POINTS:
Disbarred Auckland lawyer Christopher Harder says he had been through the toughest 18 months of his life, working for a second chance in the profession.
Lawyers in Auckland and Tonga have jumped to the defence of Mr Harder, who is now practising law in the small island kingdom, after some Auckland counsel said they were unhappy he had been admitted to the bar there.
Mr Harder was struck off in New Zealand last year after he admitted professional misconduct. He was admitted to the bar in Tonga this year after an appeal for lawyers to help defend people charged following riots in Nuku'alofa last November.
Mr Harder was allowed to act in Tonga only for people charged after the riots, but Auckland-based Tongan lawyer Nelson Tupou said he was not being paid a fee and received only disbursements.
This week, some Auckland lawyers said they were infuriated Mr Harder was allowed to practise in Tonga, apparently after telling authorities there that he had been struck off for "minor indiscretions".
Mr Harder said that was wrong.
"It underestimates the seriousness that I have taken over this matter and it belittles the rehab I have done over the last 18 months."
He said he accepted his collective behaviour was inappropriate and his name should have been removed from the roll. "I am taking my punishment like a man."
Auckland District Law Society president Andrew Gilchrist said this week that it was unusual the Tongan authorities had not asked NZ for a certificate of standing for Mr Harder.
However, Mr Tupou and Mr Harder both said yesterday that the authorities had been given a full account of the charges he faced in New Zealand and the reasons for his striking off, and a certificate of standing was not needed.
"They knew I was not in good standing," Mr Harder said.
He said he had been through alcohol, drug and anger management courses and had lost 15kg.
The past 18 months had been the toughest of his life. He had not had a drink, a cigarette or an illegal substance for nearly 18 months.
Asked if he was an alcoholic or drug addict, he said he had an addictive personality and used substances and alcohol.
"I will forever be a member of AA and I will forever be aware of the real risk of substance abuse in alcohol and how it could come back and haunt me and ruin my life if I didn't keep on my toes, 24 hours a day."
He said the 18 months since he was disbarred had been "not pleasant".
"Things caught up. It affected my judgment and I did some things I regret.
"I am now working my way back. Kiwis by nature tend to give people a second chance and I am working harder than many to get that second chance. I want to come back because I think I have something to contribute."
Auckland criminal lawyer Chris Comeskey said Mr Harder had rehabilitated himself in a "most remarkable way".
He said lawyers angry at Mr Harder's admission to the bar in Tonga did not speak on behalf of several outstanding and experienced legal counsel who had helped him with his rehabilitation.
- NZPA
