Renika is of Waikato-Tainui and Ngāti Maniapoto descent. Growing up in Taranaki, Renika travelled to the Waikato to attend university, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Hon) and Bachelor of Arts in 2009. Renika worked as a Māori Mentor during her time at the University of Waikato to advise Māori law students in their studies.
Renika joined McCaw Lewis Lawyers in Hamilton in 2008 and is the firm’s Managing Associate. She works in the Māori Legal and Dispute Resolution Teams, and leads the firm’s Workplace Law and Relationship Property Teams. Renika has extensive knowledge of Treaty settlement negotiations, providing legal and strategic advice to clients, as well as project management services. She provides assistance to clients with disputes across various areas.
Renika has been an active member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa for a number of years. She previously sat on the National Executive as the Junior Practitioners Representative and has been involved with the organisation of a number of hui-ā-tau, including the inaugural World Indigenous Lawyers’ Conference in 2012.