About Agreed

Rita’s interest in conflict resolution began about 25 years ago, when she taught a course on understanding the role of language in conflict to Kyiv Mohyla Academy law students. Her extensive working experience in New Zealand and overseas taught her the importance of wider social and cultural factors in understanding the nature of a conflict. Rita’s work in the NGO sector provided her with valuable experience in working with vulnerable clients, particularly women and children affected by family violence. She was privileged to help her clients resolve complex issues and give them a sense of autonomy by assisting them in developing better communication skills.
 

Rita places a great value on education, and she holds two postgraduate degrees, one in linguistics and one in psychology, which gives her the knowledge to navigate the complex world of dispute resolution. Rita is experienced in resolving family disputes, including immediate and extended family issues, as well as conflicts in re-partnered and blended families. She is known for empathic listening and maintaining neutrality while guiding clients through challenging situations.
Rita shares her time between Whanganui and Paekakariki, and in her spare time, she can be found giving motivational speeches to her two teenage sons. She also enjoys giving mini-lectures on adversarial versus collaborative communication styles to her daughter, who studies law at Victoria University.