Georgina Hamilton

Georgina Hamilton attended Timaru Girls’ High School from 1990 to 1994. A proud Timaru girl, she went on to study at the University of Canterbury, gaining a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Natural Resources in 1998, followed by a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 2002.

Georgina was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in Auckland in 2003 and began her legal career with Chapman Tripp, specialising in resource management and environmental law. After nine years practising in Auckland, she returned to Timaru in 2011 with her husband and young family.

Back in South Canterbury, Georgina continued to build a distinguished legal career. She worked with Lane Neave and Tavendale & Partners before joining Gresson Dorman & Co in 2018. In January 2022, she was appointed Managing Partner of the firm. As lead of the Resource Management and Environmental team, she represented clients in council hearings, the Environment Court and the High Court, and was widely respected for her expertise, professionalism and integrity.

Beyond her legal work, Georgina served in governance roles across local organisations and was a Trustee of the Aoraki Foundation. She believed deeply in community and in supporting the region she called home. She also spoke at community events, sharing her experience of balancing resilience, career and motherhood.

Georgina passed away peacefully on 13 May 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She is remembered with immense respect and affection by her colleagues, clients, friends, family and the wider South Canterbury community.

Her legacy lives on through her contribution to the law, her service to the community, and the warmth, strength and integrity she brought to every part of her life.