Expert Dispute Resolution
Resolve disputes efficiently, reducing costs, delay, and the strain of court.
Focus Mediation provides a confidential, strategic, and structured alternative to litigation, helping individuals and organisations achieve practical, fair, and legally robust outcomes.
Our approach is outcome-focused and designed to reduce complexity, manage conflict, and bring clarity at every stage. We facilitate informed agreements that are practical, sustainable, and strengthen and repair relationships.
Move forward with confidence, supported by experienced, decisive guidance.
Mediation Services
Our Expertise
Focus Mediation delivers tailored dispute resolution services across disputes of all types and complexity.
Civil and Commercial Disputes
Contract issues, construction and building disputes, and debt matters.
Property
Residential, commercial, and relationship property disputes, including landlord and tenant matters.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
Parenting and guardianship matters, with a structured, child-focused approach. Government funding may be available for eligible FDR matters.
Employment
Workplace disputes and professional responsibility matters involving both employees and employers.
Focus Mediation Statistics
30+
Years of Experience
500+
Mediations Facilitated
85%+
Resolution
Rate
300+
Adjudications Completed
About us
About Darren Rawlins
Focus Mediation is led by Darren Rawlins, an experienced mediator and dispute resolution specialist with over 30 years’ experience in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Darren spent more than two decades as a litigator in London, representing high-net-worth individuals in complex, high-value disputes. He appeared in the High Court and was instructed in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, developing a deep understanding of legal strategy, risk, and the realities of litigation - expertise he now brings to mediation.
Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, Darren provides a confidential, strategic, and outcome-focused alternative to court, helping individuals and organisations resolve disputes efficiently and with confidence.
He is known for a calm, positive, structured, and solution-focused approach, guiding parties through complex issues to achieve practical, legally sound outcomes.
Experience & Expertise
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30+ years’ experience in litigation and dispute resolution
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Former London-based litigator, acting in high-value and complex disputes
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Appeared in the High Court and was instructed in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
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Accredited Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediator
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Experience across:
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Civil and commercial disputes
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Relationship and property matters (including landlord/tenant)
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Employment and professional negligence
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Wills, trusts, and estates
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Neighbourhood and multi-party disputes
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Family Dispute Resolution
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ACC and medico-legal matters
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Professional Roles & Contributions
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Associate Member, AMINZ (Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand)
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Assesses associate membership applications for AMINZ
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Coach on the AMINZ Mediation Skills Intensive (AMSI)
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Consultant Mediator to the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre (NZDRC)
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Consultant Mediator to Fairway Resolution
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Reviewer(adjudicator) and mediator for the Independent Complaint and Review Authority (ICRA) for ACC and Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ).
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Presenter of CPD presentations for AMINZ and Legalwise.
Governance & Community
Darren has extensive governance experience, having served as a chairperson and board member across schools, childcare providers, and not-for-profit organisations. He has led teams through restructures, long-term strategic planning, and leadership appointments, with a strong focus on collaboration, accountability, and transparency.
He has also contributed to the community through roles including work with Kidz Need Dadz and governance positions connected to education organisations.
Outside of his professional work, Darren is a father of two children and lives with his family in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Why Focus
When disputes escalate, the court process can be slow, costly, and uncertain. Mediation offers a more effective way forward.
At Focus Mediation, we take an outcome-driven, confident, and decisive approach. We are trusted to resolve complex disputes efficiently, helping parties move from conflict to resolution with greater control and clarity.
Throughout the process, we manage communication between all parties and their lawyers, allowing discussions to remain focused and productive. We communicate in plain English, ensuring you fully understand your options and can make informed decisions.
With over 30 years’ experience in litigation and mediation, we bring deep legal insight and practical problem-solving to every matter.
A better way to resolve disputes
Confidential & discreet – Unlike court proceedings, mediation is a private process that protects your information and reputation
Faster resolution – Resolve disputes in a fraction of the time it typically takes through the courts.
Personal & tailored – Work with an experienced mediator who takes the time to understand your situation and guide communication.
Flexible & informal – A less formal, more comfortable process designed around your needs, not rigid court procedures.
Cost-effective – Significantly reduce legal expenses compared to traditional litigation.
Practical, binding outcomes – Reach creative, mutually agreed solutions that are legally enforceable and built to last.
What Our Clients Say
Client Testimonials
Matt Keller
I would highly recommend Darren to anyone seeking a resolution to a parenting disagreement. He clearly has vast experience in his field and was very focused on my son and what is best for him.
Gabriel Constantin
I’m grateful to meet a person like Darren during the hardest time of my life, his calm, supportive and loving nature are the magic ingredients for a great mediator. When faced with our unusual circumstances and demands you kept cool and managed to hold our hands throughout this difficult process of meditation while reminding us what really matters, the future of our kids. Gabe
Giorgia Martufi
Thanks to Darren and Tina we finally came to an agreement for the best interest of our daughter. I am really grateful for helping us to sort out our dispute without no too much trauma for our daughter. In a very professional and sensitive manner. Thank you so much!!
Lalit Anand
I would highly recommend Darren to anyone seeking a resolution to a parenting disagreement. He was fantastic to deal with. Thank you Darren for being a excellent mediator.
Mata Rima
Went through a workplace mediation with Darren. Very neutral and professional in his approach through face to face, email and phone calls. He was able to allow meetings to flow and in a timely manner. It was great to have a friendly face to go through this process with. Thanks Darren!
Marcia Watson
I used Darren to mediation a custody issue. He was excellent to deal with. Darren was very easy to communicate with and was happy to talk any time when clarification was needed. I would have no hesitation recommending or re-using Darren's mediation services.
Summer Earney
I recently used Darren for family dispute resolution and he mediated meetings with myself and my children's father. He was easy to talk to and did an excellent job keeping the atmosphere calm during these. He had great methods and suggestions to help us come to agreements. He takes into consideration each persons individual needs while keeping the focus on what is best for the children. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Darren's services to anyone, and should I require his services in the future would happily request that we be able to use him again.
Our Process
The mediation process
You can contact Focus Mediation directly to discuss your situation and provide the contact details of the other party. If you are represented by a lawyer, they will usually approach us on your behalf.
We will then contact the other party to explore whether they are willing to participate in mediation. If both parties agree, the mediation process can begin.
Once instructed, we speak with each party individually to understand the issues in dispute and how they have arisen. This allows us to design a tailored mediation process that gives you the best opportunity to reach a successful resolution.
Mediations are available nationwide and worldwide via secure video conferencing, as well as in-person in Tamaki Makarau, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our process is voluntary, confidential, and tailored process, and full confidential guided by our independent mediator, with the goal of achieving a full and findal resolution. The mediated agreement is legally binding and can be enforced by a court.
Preparation is a key part of a successful mediation. Prior to the session, the mediator will ask each party to provide background information about the dispute and will hold detailed pre-mediation meetings (by phone or video). This ensures a clear understanding of the key issues and what matters most to each party.
During the mediation, the mediator works closely with the parties and, where appropriate, their lawyers to identify key issues, facilitate the exchange of information, and guide constructive discussion. The process typically involves a combination of joint sessions and private (confidential) meetings, allowing for open dialogue, strategic analysis, and effective negotiation.
This structured yet flexible approach empowers each party to make informed decisions and increases the likelihood of reaching a practical, legally sound resolution.
Resources
Understanding how FDR mediation works will help you feel more prepared and confident going into the process. We provide a range of practical resources to help you prepare for mediation and understand the process.
General Mediation
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
These resources are designed to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident going into mediation.
Blog
Contact Us
You can ask us to reach out on your behalf, simply share your details and those of the other party. We’ll contact them to see if they’re open to mediation, and if both sides agree, we’ll begin the process.
Available via video worldwide, or in person in Auckland, New Zealand.
Ellerslie, 1051 Auckland, Aoteaora New Zealand
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
Saturday - Sunday
9.00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed