Deep truths celebrated at law awards
Photo credit: Ivan Tarlton
Amid warm rounds of cheers and applause, the 2025 Law School Awards imparted the value of deeper understanding and alternative perspectives.
The annual event celebrates the academic achievements of our law students and highlights the enduring relationship between the Law School and New Zealand’s legal sector.
This year’s audience comprised a diverse mix of students and their families and whānau, academic and professional staff, and representatives from esteemed law firms who bestowed named awards on successful recipients.
AUT Law School Dean, Ahorangi Professor Khylee Quince (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu), welcomed the audience by shedding new light on a well-known whakatauki or proverb.
Over the years, she said, “He waka eke noa” has been adopted by various organisations and groups, from health officials and government agencies to charitable trusts and kaupapa Māori initiatives.
While generally interpreted as “We’re all in this together,” a closer examination of the kupu (words) suggests a deeper meaning, one that has resonance for everyone in attendance.
Khylee broke down the translation – “he waka” (the canoe); “eke” (to embark or onboard); “noa” (to be safe, unimpeded, free). In this sense, “noa” is opposite of “tapu” - that which is restricted or tightly regulated.
“As students, you need to put tapu or restrictions in place so you can earn your degree. That might mean dedicating hours to study, foregoing socialising, or leaning on the support of others – family, friends, and community. The efforts of you and your community to remove the barriers (tapu) to enable you to travel freely (noa) through your law school journey - that underpins the achievements we are celebrating tonight,” said Khylee.
As well as the value of looking beyond surface meanings, the audience was also invited to take up the wero or challenge of offering a new perspective. Keynote speaker, Law School alumnus Natalie Devery (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Tainui/Maniapoto) is currently working as a barrister and Disputes Tribunal Referee at the Ministry of Justice. A proud first-in-family university graduate, Natalie shared key learnings from her experiences in a discipline she acknowledged as “difficult but very rewarding”:
- Hold on to feelings of pride: when you feel proud of your accomplishments, sit in those feelings. They will support you when times are challenging.
- Relationships are key: Approach a file with low ego and an open mind. You never know what will come from the connections you make or the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with others.
- Bring your own voice to the law: There is not just one way to help people or to achieve success in the law. People will take notice of your unique value and world view.
- Don’t make your job title your identity: make time and space for others – other things, other ideas, other activities, other people.
- Comparison is the thief of joy: don’t fall into the trap of holding yourself up against the accomplishments of others.
- Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei: Strive for excellence and if you stumble, may it be to a lofty mountain.