About Julie Hardaker

I spent my early life on a farm outside Rotorua and lived and worked in Australia in the 1980s where I owned several successful retail businesses.

I graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Waikato Law School in 1995 as the top student and joined the local Hamilton law firm of McCaw Lewis Chapman where I have worked ever since. I became a partner in the firm in 2000.  McCaw Lewis Chapman has been providing legal advice and supporting Hamilton for over 100 years.  Some of the recent highlights for the firm have been sponsorship of the Waikato Art Award, winning a Chamber of Commerce business award for customer service and winning several awards at the 2007 New Zealand Law Awards.

My work in the law has been involved with dispute resolution and more recently in employment law where my clients include local government and some of our region’s biggest businesses.  I lecture in the subject at Waikato University and have given numerous presentations.  My employment team was runner up at the New Zealand Law Awards in 2007.  I'm also finishing off a Masters of Management degree at Waikato University.

Over the past five years I have been on the boards of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, St Peters School Board of Trustees and Habitat for Humanity Waikato.  I am currently Chairperson of the Waikato Branch of RNZSPCA – as an animal lover it is a job I can really enjoy.   I am the past Chairperson of the McCaw Lewis Chapman board of governance and am currently responsible for the financial management of the firm.  

I am married to Steven Perdia. Steve started the Waikato Sustainable Business Network five years ago and when he isn’t working, he plays in bands and writes music.   He has a BMS (Hons), works full time and is also finishing a Masters of Management degree.  Many of you will know Steve because of his involvement in community organisations and economic development agencies in Hamilton.

When we are not out walking the dog by the river, we spend a lot of time in the city mixing with friends. In my spare time I create art and write.  I enjoy music, growing things, fitness, animals, politics, books, technology and food.  I think looking after the environment is very important.

I’m 50 years old, I'm a hard worker and have worked hard all of my life to achieve success.  I am also a smart worker.  I get things done.  As a lawyer, I have a good analytical mind and I also like to win.  But probably what people would see most is that I love meeting people and helping them with their own particular issues.