You鈥檙e studying both Law and Arts - sounds like you鈥檙e making the most of your time at uni! What do you hope to do once you鈥檝e graduated?
I currently want to practice corporate law, and I鈥檓 considering only focusing on M膩ori businesses. That鈥檚 where my M膩ori & Indigenous Studies degree will come in. I wanted to enhance what I already knew about Te Ao M膩ori. I think there鈥檚 always the need for more M膩ori lawyers, to have that point of view represented.
Why did you choose to study at UC?
UC was the obvious choice, as I鈥檝e lived in 艑tautahi my whole life and I could continue living at home. I knew a lot of staff that worked for聽UC M膩ori, so I felt comfortable having that support. I also received a few scholarships that solidified my decision.
What scholarships did you receive, and how did they help you?
罢丑别听Takere scholarship聽enabled me to stay in the halls for five weeks prior to starting uni starting. It was a great opportunity to get that hall experience and ease my transition to uni.
The Te Kakau a M膩ui聽scholarship covered full fees for one undergraduate degree, and is what enabled me to do my double degree. I also received the UC Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law First Year Award for Excellence聽and the UC Hiranga scholarship.
How did you connect with UC M膩ori before starting at UC, and how did that help you?
I had met some of them through UC M膩ori coming to schools, as well as through the聽Aukaha programme, which lets Tau 10 and 12 students come to campus and learn about degrees and uni life. I also knew a few of the staff through personal connections. It made the transition way easier, and it was a big source of comfort knowing I had that support available. I also went to UC M膩ori鈥檚 scholarship writing sessions, where they had students read over our applications and give us tips 鈥 that was really helpful.
Do you have other connections and support on campus?
We get weekly meetings with the Kaiurungi as part of the Takere scholarship, which is like a checkup to see how we鈥檙e doing and if we need anything. UC M膩ori is always there when I鈥檓 stressed out, or need help with even little stuff. I鈥檝e also started a casual role doing mahi for them.
How do you find the M膩ori community within UC and 艑tautahi?
There鈥檚 a lot of overlap. When there are kaupapa M膩ori events in the city, I see everyone I know there. It鈥檚 nice knowing we all align with the same beliefs and passions. And I just competed in the Waitaha Regional kapa haka 鈥 that鈥檚 another event that you see a lot of M膩ori people at, also those from around campus. It鈥檚 cool to see familiar faces from uni in places that I鈥檓 already comfortable in.
