The year in review from our Māori and Pasifika student-led groups
Our student-led groups are dedicated to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for Māori and Pasifika students at the Faculty of Law.
As a key part of our law school, Ngā Rangahautira (NR) and the Pasifika Law Students' Society (PLSS) celebrate and promote Māori and Pasifika heritage, bridging the gap between our students, alumni, and the wider legal community.
Community is at the heart of these groups, and students are supported through initiatives like academic workshops and competitions, mentoring programmes, cultural exchanges, and collaborative social events.
V.Alum spoke with the outgoing presidents of NR and PLSS, to reflect on and celebrate 2025.
Tamati Durie-McGrath and Nate Cashell—co-presidents, Ngā Rangahautira—Māori Law Students’ Society
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Kua tae mai te wā ki te whakamōhio atu i ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa mō tō koutou tautoko me tō koutou mahi nui i tēnei tau. I tēnei wā, ka hoki whakamuri mātou ki ngā mahi katoa kua tutuki, ki ngā whakaaro kua whanake, me ngā hononga kua pūmau i waenganui i a tātou. He tau tino angitu tēnei mō Ngā Rangahautira, ā, nā te tautoko me te manaakitanga o te katoa i pēnei ai. Ko te tūmanako, kia kaha tonu te whanaungatanga me te aroha ki waenganui i a tātou katoa i ngā tau e tū mai ana. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.
On behalf of the Ngā Rangahautira executive, we thank all of you who have contributed to our success this year. We cannot credit everyone enough for the contributions you have made. To our members, thank you for continuously attending event after event and putting in tireless effort to grow NR. Your commitment has been the foundation of everything we have achieved. Our gratitude extends to Te Komiti and the wonderful staff who have supported us throughout the year with their guidance and encouragement.
Since the early 1980s, our roots have been grounded in community. This year we have grown our engagement and built on the values upon which Ngā Rangahautira was founded. We were created to support academic success within the law school and to contribute to te iwi Māori holistically. This year we have achieved this through our academic workshops and continued advocacy, both through public submissions and within the law school. Building on this foundation, we also focused on creating more opportunities for our students. A highlight was being able to send over 12 students to Naarm/Melbourne for a cultural exchange with Melbourne University. This experience strengthened connections and broadened horizons for all involved.
As we reflect on 2025, we are proud of the inclusive and supportive environment we have worked to foster. Ngā Rangahautira is privileged to work alongside our fellow representative groups and has continued its strong relationship with PLSS, our Pacific whānaunga. Together, we form an integral part of the law school community, advocating for our respective students and creating inclusive environments where all tauira can thrive. These partnerships have enriched our work and strengthened our collective voice.
Looking forward to 2026, we are confident that Ngā Rangahautira is in great standing to continue reaching unimaginable heights. We wish the 2026 executive all the very best.
Āku mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa.
Tarifa Laban and Marshall Setu—co-presidents, Pasifika Law Students’ Society
Talofa lava, mālō e lelei, ni sa bula vinaka, kia orana, fakaʻalofa lahi atu, kam na mauri, and warm Pacific greetings.
The Pasifika Law Students’ Society (PLSS) continues to grow, evolve, and strengthen its presence within the Faculty of Law. 2025 has highlighted the depth of our community, the dedication of our student leaders, and the ongoing commitment of staff, alumni, and supporters who uplift and guide our Pasifika cohort.
A major milestone this year was the gifting and opening of our new Piki-Hama Room, a space inspired by the Tongan proverb “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava.” Like the outriggers of a canoe drawing together for balance and nourishment, the room represents the connection, stability, and collective care that sustains our students. Its opening—blessed and acknowledged by key figures including Professor Geoff McLay (Dean of Law), Dr Mele Tupou-Vaitohi (a leading legal scholar on Tongan constitutional law), and Tapu Vea (Pasifika Future Student Adviser)—was a defining moment of 2025.
We focused on academic and cultural wellbeing through initiatives like the Study and Wellbeing Retreat in Paekākāriki, which created opportunities for connection and reflection through Pasifika wellbeing workshops. The Loloma Mentoring Programme also flourished, providing personal, cultural, and academic support to first-year students.
In collaboration with Ngā Rangahautira, PLSS hosted the annual Careers Fair and workshops for LAWS121 and LAWS297. Community events like Pō Whakangahau and Pō Fiafia brought students together to celebrate the culture, achievements, and strength of our Māori and Pasifika whānau within the Faculty.
Success in the Pasifika Moot and Pasifika Sentencing Competition showcased the skill and leadership of our students. We also introduced the first PLSS uniform this year, affirming our cultural identity and pride at events and in the wider community.
As PLSS looks ahead to 2026, our message to Pasifika law students remains unchanged: bring your whole selves into every space you enter. You carry with you your families, your cultures, and the legacy of those who came before you. Let these guide you, ground you, and remind you that you never walk this journey alone.