Gowan DuffBarrister
Criminal defence from the first police contact to the Supreme Court. Gowan has been lead counsel in more than 30 jury trials, and junior or co-counsel in eight homicide trials.
Background
Gowan graduated from the University of Auckland in 2013 and was admitted in 2014. His early career was commercial: first with a senior barrister on international commercial arbitration, then in insurance litigation at a central Auckland firm. In 2017 he came to the criminal bar.
Convictions are what he works hardest against, because of what they do after the case is over. A conviction can cost someone a job, travel, or a career long after the sentence is served. In his view, one bad decision should not define a person.
That matters just as much for clients who already have convictions. Every conviction is counted the next time bail is opposed, and the longer the list, the harder bail becomes. The hope is never to see a client twice. Those who do come back get the same care as the first time.
His practice runs from regulatory offences to homicide, in the District Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Outside court, he chairs the New Zealand Bar Association’s Te Ao Māori Committee, sits on the Legal Aid Selection Committee, and has served on the Association’s Council and the New Zealand Rugby Union Disputes Tribunal. He is a co-founder of Mātai Chambers and of Aunoa, practice management software for barristers.
- Iwi
- Ngāiterangi, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Raukawa
- Admitted
- 2014
- Jury trials
- More than 30 as lead counsel
- Legal aid
- Charges carrying 14 years or more
Selected results
Sentence reduced by 20 months on appeal
A starting point beyond range for a low-level street dealer, and a two-year firearm uplift cut to 12 months. 26 months' imprisonment in place of 46. Lead counsel; Fred Choi appeared.
High Court · 2026Red Fox Tavern murder convictions set aside
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal against the murder and aggravated robbery convictions and entered acquittals. Junior counsel, with Q Duff and S L McColgan.
Supreme Court · 2026A discharge without conviction for refusing a blood test
No previous convictions, the damage paid in full before the plea, and a business whose only client would have ended the contract on a conviction. Lead counsel.
District Court · 2026A discharge without conviction for drink driving
A reading more than two and a half times the limit and a crash, but no previous record, full reparation, and a career just beginning. Lead counsel, with Fred Choi.
District Court · 2026Methamphetamine supply charges dismissed
Possession for supply, supplying, and offering to supply. Police searched a private home without a warrant, the evidence was excluded, and all three charges were dismissed. Lead counsel, with Fred Choi.
District Court · 2026Murder charge discharged at trial
Argued the application to discharge the murder charge at the close of the prosecution case. The manslaughter charge was later dismissed. Co-counsel, led by M W Ryan.
High Court · 2025Acquitted of sexual violation
Jury trial on two charges of sexual violation and two of indecent assault. Not guilty on all four. Lead counsel, with Guneesh Jubal.
District Court · 2025Home detention for importing methamphetamine
Importation, possession for supply, and a firearms charge. Eleven months' home detention. Lead counsel, with Fred Choi.
District Court · 2025A discharge without conviction that prevented deportation
Assault. Lead counsel, with Fred Choi.
District Court · 2025Aggravated robbery conviction quashed
The identification evidence left the conviction unsafe, and no retrial was ordered. With Q Duff.
Court of Appeal · 2023