David graduated from The University of Auckland in 1971 and was admitted to the Bar in the same year. David has been practicing law for over 40 years and established this firm in 1982.
David is a general practitioner who specialises in family law and property law. David has been appointed as Lawyer for Child and Lawyer for Subject Person in the Family Court.
David’s outside interests include hunting, harness racing, rugby and militaria.
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Francis Stott has lived in Papakura since 1984. One of his daughters is also qualified as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Francis graduated from the Manchester Polytechnic (now known as Manchester Metropolitan University) in the United Kingdom in 1970 with a BA Honours degree in Law awarded under the auspices of the Council for National Academic Awards. He attended University of Otago in 1971 and graduated with a Master of Law degree in constitutional law, the law of tortes and trusts and estate planning. He was admitted initially as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales on 1 December 1975 and was subsequently admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in February 1978 at Invercargill. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 12 September 2001.
Francis worked for a firm of solicitors in Invercargill from 1976 to 1983 and for another firm in Papakura from 1984 to 1986. He also worked for a trustee company in Auckland between 1986 and 2001 managing a substantial portfolio of clients with assets in a variety of countries and then returned to Papakura private practice as a barrister and solicitor in Papakura.
Francis has specialised in general practice law in the areas of property, conveyancing, wills, trusts, estates and powers of attorney.
Francis has been a member of the Papakura Rotary Club since 1997. His other interests include Philately (stamp collecting), swimming, gardening and reading history especially relating to Great Britain and the United States.
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Margaret is the recipient of a 2026 Mayoral award for services to the Waikato District Community.
Having grown up in and around her father's firm, Margaret has experience working in a law firm spanning most of her lifetime. Margaret was admitted to the Bar on July 15, 2016. She became a partner at David Rice and Associates on 1 May 2023. Margaret works predominantly out of our Tuakau offices but has clients all around New Zealand and Australia. Margaret can meet with clients in their homes, rest homes, hospitals or in our Tuakau, Kaiaua or Papakura offices
She handles areas of general practice which includes Wills, Probate, Estates, Estate Planning, Relationship Property, buying and selling of house, land or business, Enduring Powers of Attorney and other general matters.
Margaret is currently a member of Lions in Tuakau, a member of the Tuakau Emergency Services Charitable Trust and is on the committee for the Kaiaua Social Group which is a fundraising initiative for Kaiaua emergency services and other local charities.
Both Margaret and David Rice volunteer their time at the Pukekohe and Papakura Citizens Advice Bureaus. Both of them sharing the role being in charge of the legal clinic roster of lawyers.
Margaret enjoys Pub quizzing and living on the beach at Kaiaua with her dog, Torea.
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Tracy has spent the last 35 years working in Law Firms, and she has lived her entire adult life right here in South Auckland. She has raised two children in South Auckland, and these days, her home is run by her dog, Aria, and her cat, Ajax.
Tracy also helps her sister look after their 90-year-old mother which takes up much of her free time, but she does enjoy walking her dog, Aria in her favourite place the Botanic Gardens.
Renee is our friendly accounts person. Renee has legal experience spanning over 20 years. Outside of work, Renee enjoys spending time with her family and building Lego with her partner Cam.
Genevieve is a legal secretary who assists Francis Stott and David Rice with their work. She has been with David Rice for over 3 years. Outside of work Genevieve enjoys music festivals and spending time with her cat Olaf.
Emma is a student currently studying Law and Economics at Waikato University. Emma’s family have farmed the same land in the Franklin Area for four generations.
Emma currently assists Margaret Rice in our Tuakau offices and enjoys conveyancing and commercial law.
Emma enjoys spending time on the Coromandel and after work she likes to attend a local Gym and spend time with her cat Poppy.
Louisa is currently studying law at Auckland University. Louisa works in our Papakura offices on reception although is gaining valuable experience from both David Rice and Francis Stott for when she is admitted to the Bar.
Outside of work Louisa loves spending time with her family and attending Manurewa Methodist Church.
(09) 295-1067 Suite 1, Selwyn Centre, 182 Great South Road, Papakura, Auckland 2244
Office also at Shop 9, 2 Dominion Road, Tuakau – 09 2378010