Sian Elias

Dame Sian Elias

Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias GNZM PC QC (born 13 March 1949) is a New Zealand jurist. She served as the 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand from 1999 to 2019. She was the first woman to hold the position. She has also been the Administrator of the Government four times (2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016).

Elias was born in London. Her mother was Welsh and her father was of Armenian ancestry. In 1952, her family moved to New Zealand. They settled in Titirangi, Auckland. She married businessman Hugh Fletcher in 1970.