For Josephine Ripley, completing a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Islands Studies from the University of Otago was a journey of purpose and service.

“I wanted to learn more about my culture, and what it meant to be a product of the Pacific diaspora,” said Josephine, who is of Samoan and Pākehā descent to the University newsteam.

Initially unsure about studying law, Josephine was drawn to it by her strong sense of justice, a concept rooted in the values her family passed down.

“From a young age, my family instilled in me values of service, advocacy, and a justice mentality,” she said.

“I saw how Māori and Pacific peoples weren’t being supported or represented in the justice system, and I wanted to be part of changing that.”

Her decision to study at Otago was solidified after the Pacific On-Campus Experience (POCE) in 2019.

“POCE changed everything,” Josephine recalled.

“I had never been in a space with that much Pacific excellence before, especially coming from Nelson, it was so inspiring.

“I left POCE in Dunedin knowing that I would be back.”

However, Josephine admits that entering law school felt daunting at first.

“In my first few lectures, it felt intimidating with students putting their hands up, and I would think to myself, ‘How do they all know so much?’

“I soon realised these students had older siblings who had studied law, who had passed on their notes, their advice and their knowledge.

Balancing study wasn’t always easy.

“Law school can be intimidating, especially for those who are the first in their family, but having the right community makes all the difference and Dunedin has just that,” Josephine said.

“I also had strong support from my family. My grandparents were such a strong voice in keeping me grounded, I called my mum 10 times a day and my older brother was also in Dunedin, so I never felt alone.”

Josephine’s sense of identity as both Tangata Moana and Tangata Tiriti also shaped how she approached her studies.

“Mum studied law and completed a degree in Māori studies, so I grew up immersed in Kaupapa Māori thinking,” she says.

“That really drove me to support Māori aspirations and to reflect on how Pacific people can stand in solidarity.”

A proactive environmental advocate, Josephine’s connection to her Samoan roots deepened her concern for climate justice.

“My family’s villages are close to the coast. Seeing the sea level rise and knowing how its ongoing effects are going to impact the Pacific overall, it made me realise at a young age, that those are things I care deeply about,” she says.

That sense of purpose extended to campus life. In her third year, Josephine served as secretary for the Pacific Islands Law Students’ Association (PILSA), and in her fourth year, president of PILSA.

“PILSA mentored, supported and guided me through every single step, so when it was my turn in the executive group, I knew I had to support other students too.

“I truly do not believe I would have made it through law school without PILSA,” she said.

She also joined the University of Otago Pacific Islands Students Association’s (UOPISA) executive group as vice president.

“Joining UOPISA was a different playing field; it helped me connect with Pacific students outside of law, but you also take on more responsibilities with different associations, which as a positive gave me a broader sense of community,” she said.

In the final semester of her degree, Josephine went on exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark.

“It was the coolest six months of my life,” she said.

“Studying overseas opened my eyes to new ideas, but it also made me appreciate my roots even more.”

Now based in Wellington, Josephine is completing her professional legal studies while working in a graduate role at law firm Buddle Findlay.

“I’m being admitted to the bar at the end of the year, but I would love to return to study someday, maybe postgraduate in Pacific Studies or law,” she said.

As she reflects on her journey, Josephine remains grounded.

“Every step I’ve taken has been for my family,” she said.

“This degree belongs to them all.”