This year’s awardees of MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ *Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke – Awards Programme have been announced.
Congratulations to Stacia Haitana from Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington and Bobby-Rae Walker from Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland who have been awarded financial assistance of $5,000 as well as mentoring and CV support from top New Zealand law firm, MinterEllisonRuddWatts.
As part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to encouraging greater diversity in the legal profession, MinterEllisonRuddWatts established the Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke awards programme in 2023 to support Māori law students who are the first member of their whānau tonu (immediate family) to attend university or to study for a Bachelor of Laws.
When announcing the recipients, Partner Briony Davies said, “We had a wonderful time meeting these inspiring tauira. They both show great determination, resilience, and absolute passion for the law and how it can help their whānau and community. I am so pleased that through our Ngā Karahipi Whakaeke awards programme we can support two excellent tauira Māori on their career path.”
About the recipients
Whakaeke Pōneke Award
Stacia Haitana (Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Toarangatira (Te Whanganui-a-Tara), Uenuku-Kopako) is studying for her Bachelor of Laws at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Stacia shows tremendous warmth and positivity, with a strong drive to succeed and make a meaningful impact. Stacia sees law as providing a unique platform to create positive change and wants to use her education and experiences to advocate for Māori interests, ensuring Māori voices are heard and respected.
Whakaeke Tāmaki Award
Bobby-Rae Walker (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Waikato, Ngāti Tamaoho) is studying for his Bachelor of Laws at Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland. Bobby is very engaged, self-aware, and humble. He has juggled multiple jobs to support his education and passion for law, showing extreme resilience through many obstacles. Bobby describes the Award as not just helping himself, but helping shape the future of his community, as his goal is to use his legal education to give back and contribute to Aotearoa’s legal landscape.
More information on the awards is available online here.
*Ngā karahipi means scholarship or award, and whakaeke means to enable arrival.
