Camryn Williams Past Scholarship Recipient

Camryn Williams

Ko Rangitumau tōku maunga Ko Ruamahanga tōku awa Ko Takitimu tōku waka Ko Ngāti Moe tōku hapū Ko Ngāti Kahungunu tōku iwi Ko Nukutaimemeha tōku marae No Wairarapa āhau Ko Camryn Williams āhau

(L-R) Amy, Camryn, and Katelyn Williams, Karen Herbert

I have recently finished six years of study at Victoria University of Wellington. I completed two degrees, firstly a Bachelor of Arts majoring in political science and minoring in Màori studies, and secondly a Bachelor of Laws. I am very grateful for the support I received from Wairarapa Moana throughout this journey.

My decision to study law and political science was a no brainer. I have aspired to be a lawyer from a young age. This stems from my love of reading and writing. I was and still am fascinated by how words string together in different ways to make different meanings. Additionally, I am mad about politics and always envisioned myself entering politics later on in life.

Contrastingly, my decision to study Màori studies was a way for me to tap into a part of me that I felt was missing and explore my taha Màori.

I am fortunate that my experience at Vic and as a Wellingtonian fuelled these aspirations.

As a Vic student I was lucky to be in the political hub of Aotearoa. Law school is right across the road from the Beehive, so I was able to feed my political mind by participating in protests and attending question time. I gained both a deeper understanding of politics and a sense of the need for life experience before pursuing politics as a career.

Living in Wellington also gave me the opportunity to gain real experience in the public sector. In 2019 I started an internship for the Ministry of Justice and worked at Te Arawhiti – The Office for Màori Crown Relations. I worked within Te Kàhui Whakamana which is the team in charge of postsettlement governance, repairing and maintaining the relationship between Màori and the Crown. This gave me great insight into how the Government interacts with iwi. Te Arawhiti also provided a place for me to express my taha Màori and learn from prominent Màori colleagues around me.

During the height of the COVID-19 lockdown I was chosen to complete a research scholarship for Ngà Pae o te Màramatanga. This was a great opportunity for me to expand out into the research field and have my work published. It ultimately led me to my next part-time role at the Supreme Court. Here I worked at the Institute of Judicial Studies as a research adviser. Working within the Supreme Court afforded me a deeper understanding of the inner workings of our justice system.

The work experience I gained during my study was invaluable. It helped me to put into practice what I was learning in the lecture theatre. Nothing quite beats real life experience. It also set me up well for working life once I graduated.

I have recently started at Willis Legal in Hawke’s Bay as a graduate lawyer in the Family Law team. My next step is to be admitted to the Bar in October 2022.