The first in her family to attend university, Law and Arts graduate Nikita Sionetali-Tuitea had dreamed of becoming a lawyer since her primary school days.

The University of Auckland graduate crossed the stage last month, receiving a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Criminology and Sociology.

“I’d always dreamed of being a lawyer, but by the time I got to high school, I had expanded my dreams to becoming a judge. And I’ve held onto that dream ever since!”

Born and raised in West Auckland, Nikita’s blended heritage consists of Samoan, Niuean, and New Zealand European.

“In Sāmoa, I hail from the village of Taufusi in Apia, Upolu. My grandma is from Falealupo in Savai’i, and my grandpa is from Tuana’i in Upolu. In Niue, my grandad is from Hakupu, and I get my NZ European ancestry from my nana,” she said.

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to help people, but medicine was not for me, and I am terrible at maths unless it has to do with my payslip. One thing I knew for sure was that I had a passion for justice, and I’m really good at talking! So Law and Arts, majoring in criminology and sociology, was the perfect degree.”

Navigating student life while also making sense of her new environment was gruelling.

“Adapting to university life was particularly hard. Being the first in my family to attend university, I had no idea what ‘Canvas’ was, let alone how important it was,” she said, referring to the University’s online learning tool for course materials.

It was the small things that made her feel like she was falling behind her peers.

“My peers seemed to have it all figured out. One thing I particularly struggled with was the language. English is my first language, but every time I walked into class, it was like they were speaking French! I was literally googling every third word my lecturer said because there were so many fancy new words I had to learn,” she said.

Nikita looks back on the hours spent in the library poring over lecture material, reading the same passages over and over.

“I was researching things I didn’t understand – until I did! It took a lot of training, memory retention, and time.”

One thing I knew for sure was that I had a passion for justice, and I’m really good at talking! So, for me, Law and Arts, majoring in Criminology and Sociology, was the perfect degree.

She said her academic journey was challenging: “I wish I had a more magical answer, but the truth is, it was really hard, but totally worth it!

"If I could offer any advice to others starting out, be consistent. Consistency brings results. I was never the smartest in the class, but I was always consistent, perseverant, and determined!”

Somehow, Nikita still managed to immerse herself in the university’s community, joining several associations and clubs, the Pacific Island Law Students’ Association (PILSA), the Moana-Oceania Academic Initiative (MAI), the Malosi Project, Tuakana Arts, and Auckland Catholic Tertiary Students (ACTS).

“Being a class representative, taking on various executive roles in ACTS, being PILSA’s academic officer, being a Tuakana teaching assistant, being a MAI tutor, being a law student panellist at the University’s Open Day, being part of the 2024 Pacific Prospectus, and attending the University of Auckland’s first Pacific Law Week; these were all highlights.

“Not only did I get to meet and work with some amazing people, but I got to serve others, give back to my community, grow as a leader, and hopefully inspire others to continue or pursue a law degree too!”