Budding human rights lawyer wins Māori Issues Moot

Nineteen students from Auckland Law School took part in debating whether the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 should have been interpreted in accordance with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi or Tikanga Māori.

Evaluated by nine judges and three moderators, the winner, who mooted in Te Reo Māori, was Part III law student Kahukiwi Piripi. The 24-year-old from Ahipara and Mitimiti, of Te Rarawa descent, plans to pursue a career in international human rights, specialising in indigenous rights.
 

Kahukiwi was awarded the Gina Rudland Prize for Māori Mooting, worth $500. Established in 2008, the prize honours the late Regina (Gina) Rudland of the Ngati Porou iwi, a leading commercial and Māori issues lawyer and a graduate of the University of Auckland. The prize recognises and rewards excellence in mooting on Māori issues.

The runners up, who both placed second equal, were Part IV law students Natanahira Herewini and Avary Patutama. Natanahira also mooted in Te Reo Maori.

Kahukiwi will represent the Auckland Law School at the National Māori Issues Moot Finals at Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa Hui-ā-Tau in Te Whanganui-ā-Tara Wellington, on Thursday 28 August.

The Auckland Law School thanks the esteemed Judges: Ophir Cassidy, Yasmin Olsen, Hana Ellis, David Green, Jarrod Griffin, John Kahukiwa, Alana Thomas, Rachael Jones, and Lena Wong. Special thanks also to Claire Charters, Jayden Houghton, and Cameron Jacob-Sauer, Kathryn Arona, Bradley Arona, Kimberleigh Murray, Charm Skinner, Rewa Kendall, Tatijana Simon-Larsen, Dexter Rapana, and Holly Reynolds.