Age, Biography and Wiki

Sian Elias (Sian Seerpoohi Elias) was born on 13 March, 1949 in London, England, is a New Zealand judge, and 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand. Discover Sian Elias's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 75 years old?

Popular As Sian Seerpoohi Elias
Occupation N/A
Age 75 years old
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Born 13 March, 1949
Birthday 13 March
Birthplace London, England
Nationality New Zealand

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 March. She is a member of famous with the age 75 years old group.

Sian Elias Height, Weight & Measurements

At 75 years old, Sian Elias height not available right now. We will update Sian Elias's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
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Who Is Sian Elias's Husband?

Her husband is Hugh Fletcher

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Hugh Fletcher
Sibling Not Available
Children Two

Sian Elias Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sian Elias worth at the age of 75 years old? Sian Elias’s income source is mostly from being a successful . She is from New Zealand. We have estimated Sian Elias's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1949

Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias (born 13 March 1949) was the 12th chief justice of New Zealand, and was therefore the most senior member of the country's judiciary.

She was the presiding judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand and on several occasions acted as administrator of the Government.

1952

Born in London of an Armenian father and a Welsh mother (hence her Welsh forename and Armenian surname), Elias arrived in New Zealand in 1952, and later attended Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland.

1970

She completed a law degree from the University of Auckland in 1970, and then undertook further study at Stanford University.

1972

She took up employment with an Auckland law firm in 1972, beginning her career as a barrister three years later.

She also served as a member of the Motor Spirits Licensing Appeal Authority and of the Working Party on the Environment.

Elias is married to Hugh Fletcher, former CEO of Fletcher Challenge and a former Chancellor of the University of Auckland.

1984

Elias served as a Law Commissioner from 1984 to 1988.

She is also known for her work in relation to various Treaty-related cases.

In 1984, Elias helped Ngāneko Minhinnick's Manukau Harbour claim to the Waitangi Tribunal.

1988

In 1988 she and Lowell Goddard were made the first women Queen's Counsel in New Zealand.

1990

In 1990, she was awarded a New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal in recognition of her services.

1994

This led to work on other treaty cases, including as counsel in New Zealand Maori Council v Attorney-General, and in a claim to prevent the Government selling radio frequencies, and the case challenging the 1994 Māori electoral option.

1995

Elias became a judge of the High Court in 1995, and occasionally sat on the Court of Appeal.

1999

On 17 May 1999, Elias was sworn in as Chief Justice of New Zealand, the first woman to hold that position in New Zealand.

In the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

One aspect of the role of chief justice that of administrator of the Government when the governor-general is unable to fulfil their duties (due to a vacancy in the position, illness, absence from New Zealand or some other cause).

2001

Elias most prominently held the role of administrator of the Government from 22 March 2001 until 4 April 2001, between the terms of Sir Michael Hardie Boys and Dame Silvia Cartwright, from 4 August 2006 until 23 August 2006 between Cartwright's term and that of Sir Anand Satyanand, from 23 August 2011 until 31 August 2011 between the terms of Satyanand and Sir Jerry Mateparae, from 31 August 2016 until 28 September 2016 between the terms of Mateparae and Dame Patsy Reddy, and at other times when the governor-general has been unable to act.

2003

In June 2003 she was involved in a landmark case which allowed for the possibility that the Māori Land Court could issue freehold title over the foreshore and seabed.

The subsequent legal uncertainties and upheavals in Māoridom dominated the political agenda for the next 18 months.

2009

In July 2009 Elias caused controversy with her remarks in the annual Shirley Smith address, organised by the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Law Society's Women-in-Law committee.

The annual lecture is given in honour of noted criminal defence lawyer, Shirley Smith.

The speech was entitled "Blameless Babes" after a quote from Smith, who wrote "[providing] a prison at the bottom of the cliff is not a solution. Criminals will just go on falling into it, at great cost to the community. We have to find out why blameless babes become criminals."

In her speech, Elias expressed concern about prison overcrowding and argued against what she described as the "punitive and knee-jerk" attitude of politicians towards the criminal justice system.

As a final point, Elias said that unless New Zealand takes action to address the underlying causes of crime, Government may be forced into the position of using executive amnesties to reduce the growing number of prisoners.

The Chief Justice's comments were widely reported in the media.

Simon Power, the Minister of Justice, said in response: "The Chief Justice's speech does not represent Government policy in any way, shape or form".