Members of the Pasifika legal fraternity came together over the weekend to show their support and celebrate the appointment of Tafaoimalo Tologata Professor Leilani Tuala-Warren who is the new Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato.
Hosted by the Pacific Lawyers Association in Auckland, members of the New Zealand judiciary including Judges Ida Malosi, Tania Sharkey and Ali’imuamua Sandra Alofivae were present, as were representatives from academia and local Manukau city councillor Lotu Fuli.
All were in attendance to show their support for one of their colleagues who has become the first person of Pacific heritage to become the Dean of a Law Faculty in Aotearoa.
With a legal career that spans over 25 years, Professor Tuala-Warren was appointed a District court Judge in Samoa in 2013, where she helped establish the Family Court and Family Violence Court, considered to be a first in the Pacific region.
From 2016 to 2023 she was made a Judge of the Supreme Court in Samoa. In 2023 she returned to Aotearoa where she was appointed a Professor of Law at Waikato University before being appointed Dean of the Faculty in June this year.
Speaking at the special event, Professor Leilani-Tuala thanked everyone for their support.
“Your love, all the messages of congratulations and really for making me feel welcome and making me feel part of the broader Pasifika legal community, fa’afetai, fa’afetai lava.”
The mother of four encouraged members of the PLA to continue to nurture and support Pasifika students and new graduates who will enter into the legal profession.
She shared a recent speech she gave to Samoan University Students who were in Hamilton for the annual So’otaga (Samoan students conference) last week and said she was encouraged by what she saw.
“I’ve never seen so many students who were so positive and had big dreams for their futures and I think it’s really important that, as an association, that we try to esure together that they don’t lose that sparkle in their eyes.
“I ask that we unite and welcome our new students who do graduate from law school and join this association as they try to represent us while trying to navigate their own path,” says Professor Tuala-Warren.
Tofilau Nina Kirifi – Alai University of Otago, Head of Pacific community engagement, paid tribute to Professor Tuala-Warren while acknowledging the work of Pasifika lawyers across the country, many who have worked in the field for more than 30 years and have paved the way for a new generation.
“To be here tonight, we have come full circle, we have Justices, we have a Professor, the first Dean of Law.”
Professor Tuala-Warren says representation matters and is an important part of who we all are.
“Representation of our families, our cultures, our communities, our ancestors. So thank you so much for celebrating and allowing me to represent you in my little corner of Aotearoa.”
