Wellington law firm Rainey Collins has appointed Peter Johnston as Chairman, effective from 1 June 2016.

Mr Johnston, who is a partner in the firm, heads the personal legal services, property, business and Māori issues teams and has been with the firm since 2001.

He takes over the role from former Chairman James Johnston, who resigned from the partnership from 31 May 2016 and will act as a consultant to the firm until he takes up his new role as a District Court Judge on 10 June 2016.

Peter Johnston was admitted in October 1992 after completing his law degree at Victoria University of Wellington. 

His current roles include Chairman of the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association Perpetual Members Trust, Trustee of the Henwood Trust, and an external Specialist Advisor to the Ministry of Justice.

He is the former Chairman of Te Awe Māori Business Network. In this role he worked closely with regional and national business networks.