Cherie was born, raised and educated in South Auckland. Cherie has enthusiasm second to none and strives for a balance in life. She attended James Cook High School, which at the time was one of the three largest schools in New Zealand and was a public multi- cultural high school. She held the esteemed position of Head Girl in her final year at High School. Whilst at High School she also won the coveted "in the pursuit of excellence" award awarded to only one student in her school each year; also achieved Dux Ludourum Runner-up 2 years running; together with a score of championships, school blues, school records and awards. Cherie has always been a keen sportswoman and has participated in a number of sports at national level and in her favoured sport, namely swimming, she reached not only New Zealand Open Championship level achieving national rankings, but also competed internationally. During her years at Waikato University Cherie received a number of University Merits and received Sports Blues for Swimming, Surf Lifesaving, and Waterpolo. She was named in the New Zealand Universities Water Polo team, was a New Zealand Universities Tournament Swimming Champion, and an Australian University Games Swimming multi-finalist. Cherie was named the 1994 Waikato University Top Sportswoman of the Year. After graduating from University with a LL.B. she went on to complete her Professionals (Bar Exams) in Auckland and was then admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of High Court of New Zealand.

Cherie takes pride in pursuing excellence.

Since her admission to the Bar Cherie Hainsworth- Powrie has practised predominantly in the South Auckland area. Cherie gained her first employment in a Law Firm whilst still completing her Professionals. Subsequent to being admitted to the Bar Cherie has continued to undertake a wide range of legal practice working as a Barrister and Solicitor specialising in litigation; namely family law, criminal law, civil law and employment law.  Apart from a short break overseas Cherie continued working as a Barrister and Solicitor up until 2001 (by this time having been elevated to the esteemed position of Associate at a medium sized Law Firm), at which time she started working for herself. Cherie is now the principal of HAINSWORTH POWRIE LAW.

Cherie is a member of the Auckland District Law Society, New Zealand District Law Society and holds a current practising certificate as a Barrister & Solicitor.

Cherie is a Listed Provider with the Legal Services Agency for Criminal, Civil, and Family matters and is on the Duty Solicitor Roster at the Pukekohe and Papakura District Courts. Accordingly Cherie is able to accept Legal Aid assignments as preferred counsel.

Cherie specialises in court work. She undertakes a wide range of Criminal Law work enjoying the variety of cases/ charges and challenges this work provides. She deals with a variety of matters from first offenders that may be eligible for diversion through to serious imprisonable matters and matters where the defendants are recidivist offenders.

Being a Litigator Cherie is an excellent negotiator which she uses to her advantage when plea bargaining or negotiating contracts and the like, however she is also an advocate for and trained in mediation and alternative dispute resolution and is available to conduct mediation hearings as a mediator.

Over the years Cherie has gained legal experience in the following practice areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Civil Litigation, Consumer, Criminal, Debt, Defamation, Education, Employment, Family, Fisheries, Incorporated Societies, Matrimonial Property (Relationship Property), Resource Management, Sports Contracts, Traffic, Transport, Trusts Estates & Wills.

Cherie now chooses to specialise in the Criminal Courts as defence counsel. She deals with Criminal and Traffic matters, together with a variety of departmental matters including Work & Income, Fisheries, Tax, and Dog Prosecutions. She ordinarily appears before the Judiciary at the Manukau and Papakura District Courts, although over the years she has appeared at most of the courts in the North Island, from the Waitakere and North Shore District Courts down to the Wellington High Court.

Cherie likes to get involved with the Legal profession where her time and other commitments permit. She is currently the coordinator on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society for the Duty Solicitor Training Programme that is held in Manukau in September and October each year; and is on the Executive of the Manukau Professional Bar Association. She has formerly served on the committee of the New Zealand Family Courts Association, namely in 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Cherie continues to strive for a balance in life. She is a qualified Aqua- Aerobics Instructor, instructing up to as many as 7 classes a week over more than 12 years. She has also been a voluntary as well as a paid professional lifeguard for the Northern Region Lifeguard Services patrolling on the West Coast beaches. Cherie has also spent time whilst studying at Law School working for Manukau City Council Recreation Services. Cherie continues to have links with sporting clubs and groups throughout the community.