Johnny Stavropoulos
Johnny, from the University of Cambridge, is supplementing his Law studies with the University of Auckland clubs!
I was super enthusiastic about coming to New Zealand, since it’s such a beautiful country! The University of Auckland was a perfect place to capitalize on this due to its many outdoor-based societies. As a law student, I was also very interested to see how the law in another common law jurisdiction diverged from that of the UK.
Studying the law of New Zealand has given me a lot to reflect on with respect to my views on how law should be developed. For example, learning about the courts’ recent efforts to incorporate tikanga Māori into the law raises a lot of questions about the importance of considering not only the contents of the law, but also its sources and historical context in ensuring that a legal system is acceptable to different social groups within a country.
The best part about living in Auckland for me has been the people; I’ve found that so many people I’ve met have been incredibly kind and laid-back, and it’s made the city feel so welcoming. I’m a member of the Rock and Alpine, Canoe, Tramping, and Snowsports Clubs! My favorite thing about the University of Auckland community is how enthusiastic and welcoming it is; it’s been a wonderful experience to join such a variety of societies and find people in all of them who are both extremely passionate about what they do and committed to helping newcomers get involved and find that same passion.
While I haven’t settled on a specific career path yet, broadening my perspective on law by learning in another jurisdiction will be critical to any academic/political work I do regarding the UK’s legal system. Furthermore, having studied law abroad will be a critical asset towards almost any commercial legal practice, considering the continuing increase of globalization in business.