Meet Matt
Matt Gibbons LLM
Early Legal Career and Education
Matt Gibbons is a highly regarded and well-known member of the immigration industry. His legal career began in 1983, and he was admitted as a solicitor in the UK in 1985. Although he is no longer practicing in the UK, he remains on the roll of solicitors. Matt holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in law, underscoring his deep academic and professional foundation in the legal field.
Managing Partner and High-Profile Cases
Matt went on to become the Managing Partner of a successful four-lawyer High Street firm. His tenure there was marked by several high-profile cases that established his reputation in the legal community. After a distinguished career, he decided to retire in 2006 and moved to New Zealand with his wife and two sons.
Transition to Immigration Advisory
In 2010, Matt became a fully licensed immigration adviser and established his immigration practice in Cambridge. His expertise quickly earned him a place on the board of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI) in 2012. He served on the NZAMI board from 2012 to 2023, holding various roles including Vice Chair, Governance Chair, Finance Chair, and Director.
Leadership During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt played a crucial role as Vice Chair of NZAMI. He joined forces with members from the Auckland District Law Society, New Zealand Law Society, and New Zealand Association of Immigration Professionals to form the Immigration Industry Steering Group. This group served as a focal point for discussions with the government, MBIE, and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to address the myriad issues arising from border restrictions and related factors.
Industry Contributions and Presentations
Matt was appointed to the Immigration Industry Reference Group, which held meetings at least weekly to navigate the challenges in New Zealand's immigration policies. Additionally, he served on the Immigration Industry Focus Group as the sole adviser/lawyer, advocating on behalf of the immigration industry to the wider business community, interested groups, and senior INZ staff. He has been a regular presenter at immigration CPD events and co-authored numerous business workshops, including:
Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Risk Management
Written Advocacy for Immigration Practitioners
Troubleshooting for Immigration Practitioners
Continued Influence and Personal Philosophy
Matt stepped down from the NZAMI board in 2023 but continues to be a go-to resource for many lawyers and advisers facing challenging issues. He reflects on his career, stating, "I was warned that this industry might get under my skin and so it has. Policies change so often but seldom seem to address the important issues. The only consistency is inconsistency. I understand that migration is a political hot potato but firmly believe that quality migration is essential to our development."
Matt was honoured to be awarded a life membership of NZAMI in Sept 2024 in recognition of his commitment to the industry.
Personal Interests and Travel
Alongside his practice, Matt has interests in other commercial operations and has traveled widely. He believes that his legal background, interest in other cultures, and affection for New Zealand make being an adviser his ideal vocation.
