Top Pacific graduate shaped by service, culture, and community

Serina McCarthy crossed the stage at Spark Arena on 4 May, receiving her conjoint degree Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) as her family and loved ones cheered her on.

Just days later her academic excellence was further recognised with Serina inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honours society for the top five percent of students in AACSB accredited business programmes worldwide.

The South Korea–born Kiwi’s mixed heritage has instilled a deep sense of community and a commitment to meaningful public impact.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised primarily in Aotearoa New Zealand, Serina is of Sāmoan and Korean descent. Her father, James McCarthy, has ties across the three main islands of Sāmoa, including Sala’ilua in Savai‘i, Leone in Tutuila, and Malaemalu in Upolu, while her mother, Joo Eun Cha, is from Seoul, South Korea.

Her experiences have shaped how she navigates people, institutions, and public responsibility. She says growing up within diverse cultures instilled her with a strong sense of compassion and responsibility towards her communities.

“My identity is both a privilege and a grounding force, shaping how I engage with my studies, work and the people around me.

“Having a mixed cultural background has always been a strength,” Serina says. “It’s taught me how to navigate different worlds with empathy and respect, and how to actively listen before acting.

“Those skills matter deeply when you’re working directly with people and communities.”

Early start to university life

Serina began her university journey at just 17, leaving high school after Year 12 to pursue a conjoint degree in Commerce and Law. She thrived in the tertiary environment, completing her studies in five years and graduating at 22 with an Honours degree in Law alongside a major in Economics.

Making the most of every opportunity

Throughout her studies, Serina sought opportunities to grow both academically and personally. She contributed as an author to a legal publication, participated in academic competitions, and was selected for the Kupe Leadership Scholarship, an experience she describes as both humbling and formative.

Central to Serina’s journey has been her commitment to Māori and Pacific student success. She worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Law School through the Moana Oceania programme, supported students as a Tuākana Tutor in Economics at the Business School, and served as Treasurer of Commerce o’ Pasifika. Through these roles, she helped create spaces of belonging and support for students navigating complex academic environments.

“My community has always been my foundation,” she says. “Leadership, to me, is service - showing up consistently, creating space for others, and helping build pathways that didn’t always exist.”

Her honours dissertation reflected this people-centred approach. Titled How Has Contemporary Pacific Regional Economic Governance Sought to Operate as a Transformative Legal Project Advancing Economic Self Determination?, her research explores Pacific economic policy through the lens of lived experience, development constraints, and regional governance.

Acknowledgments

Serina acknowledged the many people who have supported her throughout her years of study.

“I have been fortunate to be supported by a strong network of family and friends throughout my journey.

“I am especially grateful to my parents, who have made many sacrifices to allow me to focus on my studies and who have always believed in me unconditionally.

“I’m also deeply thankful for my older sister, Cinjah McCarthy, who has consistently encouraged me to keep going and has always made time for me, even while completing medical school herself.”

She also paid tribute to her older cousins, who have pursued careers in law and played an important role in shaping her aspirations.

“They were early role models for me and have offered guidance and support throughout my journey. The belief and encouragement of my wider community has been a constant source of strength and motivation.”

Serina will begin work as an Associate Consultant at Boston Consulting Group in Auckland. Having completed her professional legal studies, she also intends to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in the near future.

As she looks ahead, Serina is clear about what guides her next steps:

“I want to build a career that brings together rigorous training, cultural understanding, and a real commitment to the communities I come from, and serve.”