Introducing Yvonne Oldfield
Yvonne Oldfield joins the Faculty of Law after a career in employment law, and brings her fascination with the subject and wealth of experience to her teaching.
However, Yvonne is no stranger to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, having completed her Master of Laws (LLM) here and now pursuing PhD research. In the employment law space, Yvonne has been a lecturer, mediator, and adjudicator.
Growing up in Whangārei, Yvonne dreamt of being a trailblazer in the science field, like Marie Curie. After an interest in physics and the beginnings of a degree in medicine didn’t stick, Yvonne began a Bachelor of Laws at Auckland University and “never looked back”.
“Once I’d studied what was then ‘industrial law’ with Professor Margaret Wilson [New Zealand lawyer, academic, former Labour MP, and Attorney-General], I knew that this was the area I wanted to work in.”
As the first in her family to go on to tertiary study, Yvonne understands how daunting it can be to start a degree or come to university for the first time. Now, she’s teaching employment law and torts—using her knowledge and experience to demystify tricky legal concepts. “One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is being able to take what might seem a difficult or unfamiliar concept, and frame it in ways that students can understand," she says.
To a beginning student the law can seem complex and mysterious, but it is ultimately about how we as human beings order our societies and relationships—my hope would be to make it accessible and comprehensible for students.
Yvonne Oldfield
Speaking of her return to the University, Yvonne says she’s thrilled to be back, “It’s a huge privilege to be back here teaching. I feel very lucky to have the chance—and I appreciate being able to work with a group of very supportive, experienced colleagues.”
Yvonne also holds a special role as grandmother to her two grandchildren and says that spending time with them is her favourite thing outside of work. Her daughter (who is also a law graduate) and her family also live in Wellington—fortunately for Yvonne, as she loves the city.
“I could write a love letter to Wellington! The harbour, the hills, the coffee, the food – so beautiful, so invigorating. It’s pretty much perfect… so long as you stay out of the wind!”