Nicola has had a long involvement with HELP, originally as an after-hours crisis support worker. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and LLB (Hons) at Auckland University, and practiced as a lawyer for a large central Auckland firm, specialising in employment law.
Nicola also worked for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, representing members in employment and health law forums, and advising the organisation on constitutional, structural and other issues. She is now a Member of the Employment Relations Authority, where she is involved in deciding employment cases.