Darsheka has broad experience in public law litigation and advisory matters. She has represented various government departments including in complex judicial reviews of Ministerial decision-making relating to climate change, environmental law, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi. Darsheka has appeared before the Waitangi Tribunal, Environment Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Prior to joining the firm in 2026, Darsheka was an Assistant Crown Counsel at Crown Law and a Rōia at a specialist Māori law firm in Wellington.
Recent and notable work:
Acted for the Attorney-General in Smith v Attorney-General, a climate change case before the Supreme Court seeking to establish a novel public law duty under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and direct enforcement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Appeared for the Minister of Energy and Resources from the High Court to Supreme Court in Climate Clinic Aotearoa Inc v Minister of Energy and Resources [2025] NZSC 197, a judicial review about climate change considerations in petroleum permitting under the Crown Minerals Act 1991.
Represented the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries in The Environmental Law Initiative v Minister for Oceans and Fisheries [2025] NZHC 177, a judicial review challenging decisions setting total allowable catch for rock lobster under the Fisheries Act 1996 and subsequent appeal proceedings.
Acted for the Commissioner of Crown Lands in Glenthorne Station Ltd v Commissioner of Crown Lands [2026] NZHC 41, concerning declaratory judgment and judicial review related to pastoral land management.
Appeared for the Director-General of Conservation in Hart v Director-General of Conservation [2023] NZHC 1011, a judicial review concerning permits to hold whale jaw bones and their interaction with tikanga.