UTAS profiles

Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Currently studying toward a conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws.

Born and raised in Rotorua, I come from a large family of 11 and am the first in my family to study at university. I chose to study a Bachelor of Arts and Laws at the University of Auckland so I could use my legal knowledge and skills to give back to my whānau, marae and iwi.

UTAS has helped me to not only pursue my studies but also to access workshops and learning centres for Māori, facilitated by Māori. It is through UTAS that I am able to achieve my academic goals.

I am also a member of Te Rākau Ture, the Māori Law Students Association, and Ngā Tauira Māori, the Māori Students Association. Being part of these groups has helped me feel connected to my whānau and marae. They are like a home away from home while living in Auckland.

As a 3rd year undergraduate and the first in my family to attend university, I have been awarded various grants and scholarships from my marae, hapu and iwi. As a way reciprocating this generosity, I help out whenever I am needed at my marae and whānau trust. When I graduate I aspire to become a Māori Land Court Judge.