VUWLSS 2025—Changing of the guard
The Victoria University of Wellington Law Students’ Society (VUWLSS) plays a crucial role in fostering community and providing support for our law students.
For decades, VUWLSS has provided students with invaluable experiences that extend beyond the lecture theatre. With events like competitions, guest lectures, moots, wine and cheese evenings, and balls, VUWLSS continues to enrich the law school’s academic and social life, fostering success and building strong alumni connections.
V.Alum spoke with past president Helena Palmer and future president Hannah Bautista, who reflect on the year that’s been and discuss their vision for strengthening the VUWLSS community in the year ahead.
The year that's been—Helena Palmer
2025 is drawing to a close, and I am glad to look back on a successful year.
This reflection serves as a final thank you to everyone in and around VUWLSS in 2025. To the 2025 Executive, the Faculty, our members, and the representative groups—it would have been a very different year without you.
It has been a pleasure to work with Ngā Rangahautira, the Pasifika Law Students’ Society, the Asian Law Students’ Association, the VUW Feminist Law Society, the Rainbow Law Society, and others. Their work in advocacy, education, and law competitions is impressive, and their respective kaupapa remains crucial to the environment we all know at Government Buildings. Thank you to all involved, and I wish the 2026 representatives all the best.
This year, VUWLSS remained focused on meeting the evolving needs and wants of law students. To do so, we emphasised low-cost, accessible events across our social, education, careers, and equity and wellbeing portfolios. Enabling students to build connections in welcoming spaces is so important, and I look forward to seeing this objective develop in the future.
None of our mahi or that of other representative groups could be possible without the work that students put in. Thank you to everyone this year who volunteered to organise, attend, or lead events and initiatives across the campus. The spirit of our law school would not be the same without that behind-the-scenes work.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
Looking ahead to 2026—Hannah Bautista
Tēnā koutou katoa. I am very grateful to have been elected VUWLSS President for 2026.
I originally whakapapa to the Philippines and China but was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau.
I made the move to Wellington to gain some independence and, of course, study in the heart of law-making in Aotearoa. I have absolutely loved my experience here and cannot wait to begin my fifth year of study, as I complete my Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics).
Helena has done an incredible job leading the 2025 Executive and ensuring that events support student hauora. The 2026 Executive and I will strive to continue this work.
Ultimately, life at law school comes with both highs and lows. It is part of VUWLSS’ role to address some of these stresses and to enhance the law school experience. I hope to uphold this legacy that VUWLSS has carried since its inception in 1930.
Our representative groups form part of the special culture at Government Buildings. I have really enjoyed getting to know the 2026 leaders and look forward to building deeper connections with these groups—Sav and Phae from Ngā Rangahautira, Lava and Ansu from the Pasifika Law Students’ Society, Sarah and Eimi from the Asian Law Students’ Association, Ronan and Eveylnn from the Rainbow Law Students’ Society, and Toni and Lucy from the VUW Feminist Law Society.
I feel incredibly lucky to have this role and hope to do it justice in 2026.
I am excited to see what is to come!
Ngā mihi nui.