A’lanah is our self-confessed trust law geek. She has an enormous amount of knowledge of all things trust law.
A’lanah specialises in helping clients with asset planning and structuring, including trust formation and ongoing trust administration.
Our clients love her sharp mind, intelligence and ability to think outside the square.
A’lanah is one of our supermums – she’s incredibly focused and manages to get a huge amount done during her working hours, then she races out the door and puts her mum hat on at the end of each day.
We recently sat down with A’lanah for a Q&A, so you can get to know her a bit better.
1. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WEEKEND LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Enjoying family time with my husband and two young boys. The oldest is about to start his first season of rippa rugby, so there will be some early starts on Saturdays for the next few months – I’ve got my gumboots ready for the sidelines. Every Sunday morning I also take time out to go to yoga.
2. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF PIZZA?
Anything without mushrooms.
3. ARE YOU A DOG PERSON OR A CAT PERSON?
Both. We have a cat called Scout Finch. I’d love a dog too, but we’re not home enough.
4. WHERE WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE HOLIDAY?
I’ve been lucky enough to do a bit of travel, including 3.5 months in Europe where my husband and I visited 21 countries!
5. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIAN OR BAND?
I’ve got quite diverse tastes, but ‘All Out 70s’ is a frequently played Spotify playlist.
6. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL TO ONE COUNTRY THIS YEAR, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
I’d love to go back to New York – I was pregnant the last time I was there, so I missed out on eating a street hot dog and it’s one of those iconic things I want to do! Plus it’s just an amazing city.
7. WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE NZ HOLIDAY SPOT?
We love spending time at Waihi Beach.
8. WHAT’S THE BEST BOOK YOU’VE EVER READ?
Shantaram is a highlight. I tend to read lighter books given I spend all day reading, writing and analysing words!
9. WHICH TV SHOW ARE YOU CURRENTLY WATCHING?
I’m a sucker for a medical drama and am a long-devoted Grey’s Anatomy fan.
10. WHAT’S YOUR MORNING BEVERAGE OF CHOICE?
Soy flat white.
11. ARE YOU AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?
Early bird, married to a night owl.
12. WHICH SONG ARE YOU EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT YOU LIKE?
I’m not embarrassed to admit much – I am who I am.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
When I was a teenager my parents owned a backpackers lodge in Kerikeri, where backpackers mostly go to do seasonal work, and I would often join in. My jobs included picking and grading lilies, laying a fairway at the Waitangi Golf Club, packing kiwifruit, dishwashing and the list goes on!
14. WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Helping people get their affairs in order and the brain work it takes to solve tricky situations or issues.
15. WHAT LED YOU DOWN THIS CAREER PATH?
I wanted to be an economist, but I got diverted towards also studying marketing and law, and once I started practising, the law was an obvious fit. I get my economics fix listening to podcasts.
16. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT, PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?
Becoming a mum.
17. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN GROWING UP?
An astronaut – I’m fascinated by space.
18. WHAT COULD YOU GIVE A 30-MINUTE PRESENTATION ON WITH NO PREPARATION?
Trust law!
19. WHAT JOB WOULD YOU BE TERRIBLE AT?
My husband says a nurse…
20. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT ARMSTRONG MURRAY?
I work with a great bunch of people who genuinely care about our clients, are interested in the finer points of the law and who I can have a good laugh with.
