Expert
Dispute Resolution
​We help you quickly resolve disputes cost-effectively and fairly.
Why
Focus Mediation
Focus Mediation provides a confidential, structured, and practical alternative to court. We assist individuals and organisations to resolve disputes efficiently, with clarity and confidence at every stage.
Our mediation process is designed to reduce stress, manage complexity, and support informed decision-making - helping you reach outcomes that are fair, workable, and legally sound.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide a mediation process that is clear, calm, and focused on outcomes.
We believe disputes are best resolved when parties are supported to communicate effectively, understand each other’s perspectives, and work towards practical solutions. Our goal is to create an environment where people feel heard, informed, and empowered to reach agreement without unnecessary conflict or delay.
We are committed to helping clients move forward with confidence through a process that prioritises fairness, efficiency, and resolution.
Testimonials
Our collaborations
About Us
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, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, developing a deep understanding of legal strategy, risk, and the realities of litigation—expertise he now brings to mediation.
Now 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, 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, Court of Appeal, and 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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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 and trainer on the AMINZ Mediation Skills Intensive (AMSI)
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Consultant to the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre (NZDRC)
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Consultant to Fairway Resolution
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ACC reviewer and mediator for the Independent Complaint and Review Authority (ICRA)
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.
Darren Rawlins
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Connect with us
You can instruct us directly to discuss your issues and provide us with contact details for the person that you seek to mediate with. We will then contact the other party and ask them if they would be willing to mediate with you. If both parties agree to mediate we can begin the mediation process.
​Video/remote Worldwide.
Personal meetings in Auckland, New Zealand
* If you are represented by a lawyer they will usually approach us on your behalf.
** Once we are instructed to mediate we shall speak with both parties individually to ascertain the issues between you and understand how these issues arose. We will then prepare a tailor-made service for your mediation which will provide the best chance for you to reach a settlement in your dispute.
*** Mediation fees are usually split 50/50 between each party ( unless there is an agreement between you otherwise ) and we will provide to you details of our costs upon enquiry.
Contact
Focus Mediation
