Student editor feels privileged to contribute to Māori law discussions
Victoria University of Wellington law student Indiana Shewen has been appointed 2016 student editor of the Māori Law Review, a monthly review of law affecting Māori.
Victoria University of Wellington law student Indiana Shewen has been appointed 2016 student editor of the Māori Law Review, a monthly review of law affecting Māori.
Indiana is in her third year studying towards a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Māori Resource Management and Public Policy. She is of Te Ᾱtiawa and Ngāti Mutunga descent.
“Getting this role means a lot to me because growing up, my Mum taught me the importance of my family history and the prestige of my culture. I came to law school with the intention of using what I learn to address legal issues facing Māori,” Indiana says. “I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to support the work of so many dedicated researchers and practitioners, and to help facilitate discussion of these important issues through the Māori Law Review.”
Indiana is actively involved in her fields of study: volunteering as a law tutor for first-year university students, as well as working as a Research Assistant for Victoria University academic Dr Carwyn Jones, co-editor of the Māori Law Review.
“The Māori Law Review student editor provides us with a lot of support particularly making sure our reporting of Māori Land Court decisions is comprehensive and of high quality,” Dr Jones says. “Indiana clearly has a real passion for this area of law, and that will be a real advantage in terms of helping to ensure that the Māori Law Review continues to be a leading voice on current issues in this field. We’re really pleased to have her as part of the Māori Law Review team for this year.”
Indiana says that as a law student, she believes it is important that she remains well informed about the legal issues facing her community, particularly Māori.
“I applied for the student editor role because I want to spark more discussions. As tikanga Māori continues to gain recognition through legislation, it is clear that lawyers of my generation will be asked to consider this in their practices. I hope that law students can learn to incorporate tikanga Māori within their studies so that they are well-equipped when they enter the legal profession,” she says.
“At Victoria University of Wellington we are lucky enough to be placed right in the centre of discussions between academics, practitioners, policy analysts and researchers. The Law Faculty hosts guest speakers from all around the world and students have access to academic writing of the highest calibre - and it is all right at our doorstep!
“Student-editing Māori Law Review is a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in these discussions and contribute to the dialogue that goes on at law school. I encourage students to get amongst these discussions by attending our Indigenous Law Speaker Series events throughout the year and following us on our Facebook page.”
Victoria University has a subscription to the Māori Law Review which allows all its students to access content online. The Māori Law Review website is here http://maorilawreview.co.nz and you can follow the Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/MaoriLawReview/?fref=ts.