Academic excellence shines at Law Awards
Academic excellence was on full display at this year’s AUT Law School Awards. The annual event celebrates the academic achievements of our law students and highlights how strongly the school is supported by a range of prestigious law firms.
Opening with a karakia led by Dr Adrienne Paul (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tuhoe), the evening was emceed by Acting Dean, Mike French, and Director of Undergraduate Programmes, Associate Professor Alison Cleland. Mike welcomed the 130-strong audience, acknowledging the hard work and academic achievements of the awardees, and celebrating their whānau and friends as well as the law sector professionals in attendance.
Following a keynote by AUT Law School alumnus Brennan Rigby, Alison succinctly described AUT's key difference from other New Zealand law schools – in a word, “opportunity”.
“There is an idea that law is an ‘exclusive’ discipline and not accessible to all those who want to study it. We fundamentally disagree with that notion. Fulfilling your potential – that's what we are all about here at AUT, and it is wonderful to be part of this kaupapa.”
Benjamin Verhaaren, who received the Dean’s Award and AUT Law School Award for Company Law, said his academic journey underscores how “AUT does things differently”. Initially enrolled at a different NZ law school, Benjamin joined AUT as a second-year law student because he felt it was a “better cultural fit”. Today, as a final year LLB (Honours) student who volunteers at Waitemata Community Law, Benjamin says he values how “interactive and approachable” AUT Law School students and staff are.
Benjamin’s mother, Catherine, says that “from a mum’s point of view, AUT really suits Ben”. She is proud of the “hard yards” he has put in, including his work as Competition Officer for the AUT Mooting Society. In that role, Benjamin is responsible for promoting, planning, and executing Moots hosted by AUT Mooting Society. “He sees the value of what he does here; he sees the value of giving back. He’s absolutely in the right place,” says Catherine.
Mike French, who is acting Dean while Professor Khylee Quince (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Roroa) is on research leave, says the awards evening is a highlight of the Law School’s year.
“It is wonderful for staff to be able to join whānau and friends in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our very top students. Our students and alumni are our greatest asset and occasions like this remind us why we choose to do this job. It is also a fitting way to pay tribute to our sponsors – our connections with the profession are integral to what we do, and we are grateful for their continued and generous support.”