Our History

Gilbert Horsley, co-founder of Horsley Christie

Hector Christie, co-founder of Horsley Christie

Gilbert Horsley and Hector Christie were admitted as Solicitors in 1911 and 1910 respectively and shortly after commenced practice in Wanganui.

In the intervening years that covered two world wars, the 1931 earthquake, saw man walk on the moon, the '87 sharemarket crash, Wanganui gained recognition as a provincial centre. A centre where track athlete Peter Snell ran the mile in world record time at Cooks Gardens in 1962, and where Wanganui Collegiate can boast of Royal attendance, when in 1982, His Royal Highness Prince Edward was a tutor and junior house master at the College.

Over time Hector Christie was joined in practice by, Jack Craigmyle, Dick Tizard and Peter Dickson and Max Restieaux, forming the long standing firm of Christie, Craigmyle, Tizard & Dickson.

On the death of Gilbert Horsley, Alan Horsley was joined by Dennis Brown and Derek Lowe, and with Derek Lowe's appointment as a Magistrate in 1974 the firm then became Horsley Brown & Co.

These two law firms, now Horsley Brown & Co and Christie Craigmyle Tizard & Dickson, merged in 1986 to form one of Wanganui's largest law firms, Horsley Christie, now employing twenty-five people.

The legal practice continues to grow, offering full legal services to our client base that ranges from the individual New Zealanders to National and International Business Corporates.