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You connected with UC while still in high school. What advantages did that give you?

I’d done lots of outreach programmes, including STAR and He Puna Pūtaiao, and gotten to know the Māori student support services staff. They were really helpful and made sure it was a smooth transition, so it was seamless.

You’ve got a very full plate with your studies! How has UC supported you?

The student support services are really helpful in making sure everything stays balanced. I work a lot with the Maōri student support services staff to make sure that my papers won’t clash too much in terms of assessment deadlines and ensure I have variety. I do a study plan with them every year.

What are some highlights of your UC student experience so far?

Law camp is really fun. All the 200 level law students go over a weekend; they run challenges and we go to the water park. For Te Akatoki, we have a weekly kapa haka, which is something I dove into straight away. It’s definitely a piece of me, and it’s been fantastic. And the Law Ball is always amazing, it’s massive and everyone gets dressed up.

You’re heavily engaged with Māori culture at UC. What inspired that?

I’m adopted, so I don’t get to engage with that side of me at home very much. In high school, there were very few Māori students, so the culture wasn’t pushed much. It had been a long time since I’d been engaged. It was only when I went to uni that I got back into it with kapa haka, started taking the language classes again, and being around other Māori.

Has that helped inspire your career direction?

Absolutely. In high school, Māori was only looked at as your culture; it didn't provide career opportunities. At uni, I realised there’s so much I can do with it. It ignited a passion, and now it’s a mission for me. I’d really like to work in indigenous rights, doing law regarding indigenous studies or human rights aspects.