Introducing Professor Fiona McDonald
Professor Fiona McDonald returns to Wellington after more than 17 years overseas in Canada and Australia, and we are very fortunate to have her back.
After growing up in Tauranga Moana, Fiona initially decided to study for a Bachelor of Arts in Politics at Victoria University. She also studied for a Bachelor of Laws—if only to gain some useful skills that would complement her BA. “I was at the time adamant that I didn’t want to actually be a lawyer” she says.
But she did practice as a lawyer for a few years after graduating, in the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner. She then took a break to do postgraduate study—“again I was adamant that I would return to practice”—but after only two weeks of studying for a Master of Laws at Dalhousie University in Canada, Fiona was inspired to take her legal study further and complete a PhD.
Driven by her own patient experiences, Fiona’s research examines the connection between law, policy, and ethics in the health context. She now specialises in public and government law relating to health systems.
“Health is a human right. We have a shared interest in having an accessible, well-designed, safe, and equitable health system with clear accountabilities, both prospectively and retrospectively. My research contributes to, and impacts on, these broader debates in local, national and international settings. I also share my passion for health law and public law with my students so they can be part of these dynamic fields of practice.”
As an alumna of the University (and a rare fan of Wellington’s weather!), Fiona describes returning to Wellington and to the university as a “homecoming of sorts”. She is set to start teaching Public Law in Trimester 2 of 2025 and is eager to get started.
The Faculty of Law has a beautiful environment with wonderful people to work with, who are committed, curious, and caring. I have been sitting in on public law classes, and I am so impressed with the students and their engagement.
Fiona McDonald
As for the future? Fortunately, Fiona still sees herself settled in Wellington and has no plans on slowing down on her research journey, as she hopes to “work with colleagues across the University, Aotearoa, and the world on important regulatory issues that impact on the ability of people to access health services or live and flourish in a healthy environment."