Why did you decide to study Law, complemented by Business courses?
I've always had quite a strong passion for debate. I’d like to pursue a career in diplomacy or iwi development and I have an interest in social justice, so I felt a law degree would enable me to get into those things. But I’ve also always been interested in how money and business can be leveraged to help people. Plus, there are a lot of areas in law where commerce will come in handy, like commercial law.
What do you want to do once you finish your studies?
My dream career is to be a diplomat for New Zealand or work at the United Nations, but I have so many interests that I’m keeping my options open.
After graduation, I’ll look to get a job at a law firm because I see it as a stepping stone to all my big goals. I’d like to support my two iwi – for instance, Ngāpuhi doesn’t have our treaty settlement yet, so I’d love to be on a team of lawyers that helps achieve this. If the settlement is done before I graduate, my business skills can help enable economic development opportunities for my iwi.
What do you like most about your studies?
The law lectures are interesting, but it’s outside the lecture theatre where the best opportunities are.
I’ve participated in the kaupapa Māori competitions through Te Pūtāiki (the Māori Law Students’ Association) and have gone to Auckland for Hui-ā-Tauira, the Māori Students Law Conference. LawSoc offer even more opportunities to gain practical experience like negotiating, mooting, client interviewing and witness examination.
Have you gotten any real-world experience so far?
I worked at Environment Canterbury on the Strategy and Policy Committee as a Youth Representative. I've been learning a lot about the Resource Management Acts and how environmental law works. It’s been so useful not only to apply my learnings in exams but also to use my ECan experience in my classes.
I also went on an overseas study tour to Asia with the BSNS288 course, which is a really cool opportunity. It gave me a wider view of the world and opened my eyes to more cultures, more opportunities, and a wider range of people. That's useful in any field, but especially business and law.
I’m also serving on Te Akatoki, the Māori Student’s Association as their Kaitiaki Pūtea this year. This will deepen my real-world experience of governance and financial skills in the real world within a tikanga Māori organisation.
Did you receive any scholarships?
I was lucky enough to receive both the Te Kakau a Māui and Takere scholarships. The financial awards help fund my studies, but they also come with other benefits.
The Takere scholarship allowed us to stay in the halls for a few weeks before the semester, which helped us build strong friendships and get familiar with things around campus. It really grew my confidence coming into uni.
And the Te Kakau a Māui mentoring programme is very helpful. They set me up with a partner at Greenwood Roche law firm, so I’ll be able to gain great insights into the field.
What is your favourite thing about the UC student experience?
I love all the club activities. They open up so much opportunity for things I’d never get to do otherwise. For example, Te Pūtāiki had a fancy conference dinner and Julian Dennison was the DJ. I got to meet a billionaire through my scholarship programme and another over in Asia! We went on a camp to Living Springs. And I did some community service with the Student Volunteer Army. I love being able to get a holistic experience of uni life outside the classroom.
How do you find UC’s Māori community?
It's really good. My high school was mainly Pākehā, so it wasn't something that I was expecting coming into uni, but once I started in the Takere programme I could see how visible it was across UC. We have our own space in Te Ao Mārama, and we've got the whare as well. There's always snacks and food and lots of Māori students hanging out, studying.
My kaiurungi and I have chats to make sure I'm studying the right thing and keeping my grades up, and he'll hook me up with tutors if I need them. And UC Māori puts on lots of events. There’s always something going on for Māori students here.
Are you involved with any clubs?
My favourite clubs are Te Pūtāiki (the Māori Law Students’ Association) and DebSoc. I love seeing all my friends through the Te Pūtāiki events and things like study sessions. DebSoc has great club nights where we debate against each other, and we even did a trip to Auckland to compete in Joynt Scrolls – the premier New Zealand university debating competition.
What do you like about being a student in Christchurch?
I bike to uni and work, so not having hills in town is a massive benefit. I can get everywhere around the city pretty easily. I also like walking in the Port Hills with my mates and stopping for ice cream at the Sign of the Kiwi. I'm involved in a church youth group, so I spend my Sundays there running games for the kids – that's really fun.
How have you seen yourself grow since coming to UC?
The biggest thing I’ve grown in is my involvement in te ao Māori. Having all these opportunities through clubs and being around like-minded people with similar interests has really strengthened my connection with my culture and tikanga. I feel a lot more confident now that I'll be able to take that knowledge out into to the workforce.
Any advice for other students?
Get involved in things outside of the classroom. There is so much you can do both academically and socially. It makes things more interesting and it will help you with your studies, too.
Would you recommend UC to other students?
Absolutely. UC has been really welcoming. The support services and friends I’ve made here are amazing. It's a great place.
Sum up your UC experience in three words.
Exhilarating. Tikanga. Home.
