Samoan academics have hailed the inaugural Pacific Law Week as a recognition of the hard work of Pacific legal practitioners.

Auckland Law School at the University of Auckland will celebrate the contribution of Pacific peoples to the field of Law in Aotearoa New Zealand with its first Pacific Law Week, 15 – 19 July.

Associate Professor and Associate Dean Pacific from the Law School, Dr Guy Fiti Sinclair (Satalo, Sapapali’i – Sāmoa) says the inaugural Pacific Law Week was born from a need to create a more inclusive environment for Pacific students; as well as recognising the achievements and contribution of Pacific peoples to Law.

“We want to recognise the contribution of Pacific peoples and help our Pacific students feel more at home in the Law School.”

Susuga Faiako (Professional Teaching Fellow) Beatrice Tabangcora (Vaiusu, Moata'a – Sāmoa) says there are currently over 400 Pacific tauira (students) pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Law School.

Fostering an inclusive community at Auckland Law School where Moana Oceania peoples (students, staff and others) feel valued, respected, and empowered, is one of the main aims of the Pacific Law Week.

“We also want to welcome our tauira – especially those in the first year to help them re-set their intentions and study practices for semester two,” says Tabangcora.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau says the establishment of Pacific Law week heralds a milestone for the Pacific community

Milestone for the Pacific community

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau says the establishment of Pacific Law Week at the University heralds a milestone for the Pacific community.

She says the contribution of Pacific peoples to Law was evident in the University’s alumni sitting as judges and practising in law firms both nationally and internationally.

Family Court Judge Faumui Lope Ginnen, an alumna of the Law School, will open Pacific Law Week with a special address on Monday 15 July.

The week-long programme of talanoa and seminars will close with the Inaugural Olive Malienafau Nelson Public Lecture and the Pacific Law Scholarship and Awards Recognition Ceremony.

Tabangcora says they are delighted that Tugaga Misa Telefoni Retzlaff – former Deputy Prime Minister of Sāmoa, former Attorney General of Sāmoa, and Auckland Law School alumnus will deliver the inaugural Olive Malienafau Nelson Public Lecture.

Trailblazer and pioneer Olive Malienafau Nelson 

Malienafau Nelson Public Lecture is named in honour of barrister and solicitor Olive Malienafau Nelson and her remarkable and significant achievements: the first Pacific person, the first Pacific female, the first Sāmoan and one of the first females to graduate from the University and the Auckland Law School almost 90 years ago in 1936.