Whakataukī and t-shirts at Law Awards

03 Aug, 2026

Wisdom was imparted through whakataukī and t-shirts at this year’s AUT Law School awards, an annual celebration of students’ academic achievement – and the people who support their mahi along the way.

In her capacity as outgoing Dean, Ahorangi Professor Khylee Quince (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu) drew on three whakataukī | Māori proverbs to describe the challenges and rewards of a law degree. Her kōrero was followed by a thoughtful, funny, and provocative keynote by the the Honourable Justice Andrew Becroft.

Declaring the evening’s award-winners as “our kūmara”, Khylee explained that the sweet potato is revered as a taonga, a treasure brought to Aotearoa by our forebears – those who recognised it not just as a food staple, but as a source of knowledge transmission to ensure communities survived and thrived.

In keeping with this kaupapa, Khylee shared the first whakataukī of the evening: “Whakatō kūmara, whakatipu tāngata | If you plant the kūmara, you grow the people."

The next whakataukī is well-known – but Khylee gave it a twist. “Kāore te kumara e kōrero ana mo tōna ake reka | The kumara does not brag about its own sweetness.”

“Your character is your sweetness, and that will speak for itself,” said Khylee. “But while you shouldn’t be skiting about your individual success, we encourage you to celebrate your wider kūmara patch and its many gardeners. Your success is the success of many.”

The third whakataukī focused on the great potential of new graduates. “Iti noa he pito mata | From a small portion of the kūmara, a whole new crop will grow.”

In other words, Khylee explained, your knowledge is your harvest. Your academic achievements mean you can go out into the world to do great things.

Taking to the podium, the Honourable Justice Andrew Becroft drew particularly on his experiences as a Principal Youth Court Judge. Rather than whakataukī, Justice Becroft brought his wisdom to life by taking off his jacket and donning two different t-shirts.

The first declared “Let the Lord judge the criminal,” a quote from a rap song by Tupac Shakur. Justice Becroft described how, on his last day presiding over the Youth Court, a young man wearing the same tee shirt, entered the court. Before the charges were read, the youth told Justice Becroft, “I hope you get it [my justice] right.” That moment has stayed with the Judge, who advised Law students to always ask themselves, “Are we getting it right?”

“You are the cream of the kūmara crop, but much is expected of you – you will be influencers, changemakers. Use your privileged position as lawyers for the good of your clients, your community, and your country.”

Justice Becroft’s second piece of advice was simple but powerful: “In gaining a law degree, doors that are closed to most people will open to you. It is good to have a fixed ambition but always be open to unexpected opportunities.”

Justice Becroft then pulled a second tee shirt over his head. It depicted a photograph of three athletes on the podium at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. The 200-metre gold and bronze winners were African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two members of team USA. Both raised a black-fisted glove during the playing of the US national anthem to show solidarity with Black Power. The silver medallist, Australian Peter Norman, joined his fellow winners in wearing human-rights badges on his jacket.

The demonstration sparked worldwide controversy and is still considered one of the most overtly political acts in Olympic history.

“The question for all of us is this, ‘How will we stand when the pressure comes on? Will we demonstrate moral courage?’ When the going gets tough as lawyers, will you show moral courage? I hope so,” said Justice Becroft.

Khylee’s closing words perhaps best reflected the wairua | spirit of the evening - for students, whānau, and AUT Law School staff alike.

“A nationwide survey conducted earlier this year asked law school students, ‘Do you feel like you belong at your law school?’ AUT came first. It also asked, ‘Does your law school teach you about self-care and wellbeing in practice?’ Students from other law schools reported that AUT is the place where students and staff care for each other and themselves. We are a patch of happy, thriving kūmara. I am very proud of AUT Law School,” said Khylee.

Useful links

• Read the full list of AUT Law School awardees
• View the photos from the 2026 AUT Law School awards (photo credit: Ivan Tarlton)
• Study at AUT Law School

AUT Law School awardees