We are Anthony Harper, your partners in progress.

We deal in forward motion. We have the specialists and the expertise to provide top tier partnership. And we always make sure the right people are in the right rooms. When in those rooms we’re never robotic with our advice or bound to the black letter of the law.

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Overview
We’re professional human beings just like our clients, and we provide workable solutions not brick-wall facts. We smile, get-to-know each other on a personal level, and sometimes dress informally. When we answer the phone to a quick question we’re happy to talk off the clock (most of the time, anyway).
We want our clients, our people and our firm to find progress. Progress in moving to the next stage in whatever needs to get done. Progress in asking new questions of old problems. Progress in the way law, and business, is done.
Vision and values
Our values define how we work, who we hire and how we behave in the world.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
We are committed to having a diverse workforce, where everyone can feel included and has equal access to opportunities.

We are proud of the work we have done and recognise the importance of continuing to commit to and create meaningful change.

Our goals, why this is important to us, and our actions are available within our sustainability framework.

Successes to date:
Paying our people fairly
As part of our commitment to building an inclusive and equitable workforce, we are committed to paying our people fairly. One of the ways we achieve this is by being an accredited Living Wage Employer in Aotearoa. Another is by being transparent about what our firm’s gender pay gap is and how we measure it, and publishing this on MindTheGap.
  • Our firm’s gender pay gap is a percentage measure of the difference between the median hourly earnings of our female employees and the median hourly earnings of our male employees.
  • Our employee gender pay gap is 2.31% as calculated in January 2024 (for permanent employees excluding partners).
  • Our firm comprises of 65% women and 35% men (excluding anyone that has identified as gender fluid or chosen not to disclose their gender).
  • Equal pay is different to a pay gap. An equal pay review compares the pay of people in the same or similar roles. We undertake an equal pay review annually as part of our salary review process. We are pleased to confirm that no equal pay concerns were identified as part of our January 2024 review.
Our history
Anthony Harper is one of New Zealand's oldest-standing law firms, with a proud history that spans almost 160 years. Today the firm has more than 140 people based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, with internationally recognised and award-winning specialist lawyers working for a wide range of clients (from large corporates to individuals), across a range of sectors and services.

1865

Leonard Harper begins practising law in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, with the firm becoming Hanmer & Harper.

1878

George Harper joins Hanmer & Harper, which is renamed Harper & Co.

1903

Archibald Henry Anthony forms Russell & Anthony in Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

1906

Harper & Co is renamed George Harper, Son & Pascoe.

1925

George Harper, Son & Pascoe is renamed Harper, Pascoe, Buchanan & Upham.

1931

Park Road is renamed Harper Avenue, in honour of Sir George Harper.

1936

Russell & Anthony is renamed Anthony Polson.

1953

Harper, Pascoe, Buchanan & Upham is renamed Harper, Pascoe, Buchanan & Penlington.

1956

Anthony Polson is renamed Anthony Polson & Robertson.

1970

Harper, Pascoe, Buchanan & Penlington is renamed Harper Pascoe & Co.

1977

Anthony Polson & Robertson merges with Kerr Mackintosh & Co and is renamed Anthony Polson & Co.

1987

Harper Pascoe and Anthony Polson & Co merge, becoming Anthony Harper.

2010

Anthony Harper opens an office in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.

2013

Retirement village law firm, Burke Melrose, merges with Anthony Harper.

Sustainability
At Anthony Harper we are proud of our history that stretches back for almost 160 years. We recognise that sustainability is an inherent part of continuing our legacy of stewardship, so in 2022 we introduced our Sustainability Framework to guide us through the next part of our history.
See our Sustainability Framework
Supporting our community
We value our connections with our local communities, and give back to the community through our pro-bono work, donations, fundraising and our ongoing sponsorship initiatives. We are also proud of our long-standing support of the arts.
How we support our community
Our people
We have the specialists and the expertise to provide top tier partnership.

Take a look at our top talent.
Find an expert
ALFA International
Anthony Harper is a member of ALFA International (ALFAI), a premier global legal network with more than 140 independent law firm members worldwide.

Similar in size and experience, ALFAI member firms meet high standards to be part of the network and their attorneys are well respected by peers in both the legal and business community. ALFAI member attorneys establish broad, deep relationships with each other and are committed to providing cost-effective, high-quality legal services. As a result, membership in ALFAI enables Anthony Harper to use its local experience to deliver highly effective legal solutions while drawing upon the collective wisdom and experience of a comprehensive worldwide network of accomplished trial and business counsel.

Anthony Harper’s clients will also benefit from a wide range of unsurpassed educational programming, including seminars, webinars and legal compendia. Find out more information about ALFAI through the button below
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