Gloria Rapoto
Lawyer, Bell Gully
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with First Class Honours
Working in the District Court inspired her to study law, says Gloria Rapoto who graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in mid-2024.
“In 2017 I started working for the Ministry of Justice in Manukau; one of the busiest courts in the country. The biggest thing that stood out for me was how many users of the court didn’t actually understand much about the law and court processes. My work made me realise that there was a need to help people out there navigate the court system and the law. I wanted to help people, especially other Māori and Pasifika, by educating them about how the law works, what their rights are and how the system works.”
She knew this meant that she had to learn the law on a deeper level herself and soon she found herself enrolled in AUT’s law degree.
“AUT caught my attention. The prospectus had a clear pathway of the degree, there was a variety of law electives available, and there was a diverse range of students and alumni, which was very attractive. Another bonus was that the AUT South Campus was close to home and work in South Auckland.
“The learning experience was great. All the lecturers brought their own unique personality and experience to the classroom. This made them relatable, and learning was fun and interactive. Making a great group of friends with those in my small study group and my cohort was a highlight, and it was nice to talk things out with people doing the same degree. I also loved having the opportunity to give back. I provided exam workshops for law students, tutoring and mentorship. This meant a lot to me because I knew the struggles that came with studying, and I wanted to help others get through.”
A rewarding law career
Seeing others achieve their dream of a law career motivated her, says Gloria who is of Cook Island Māori, Te Rarawa, German, Asian and European descent.
“When I met others who had graduated or been admitted to the bar, I was reminded that one day that was going to be me. I was inspired to keep going strong in my journey. While I was at AUT, I was fortunate enough to win a number of law awards, including the LexisNexis Award for the best overall grades in Part II of the Bachelor of Laws, the Dean’s List award for Criminal Law, the College of Law Award for Legal Ethics and the Law School Award for the top dissertation. I also had the honour of delivering the graduate speech at the 2024 Winter Graduation. It meant a lot to me to acknowledge my colleagues, their hard work and the support of AUT.”
Since completing her studies, Gloria has now joined Bell Gully and works as a lawyer in the projects and real estate department.
“My team specialises in resource management, which involves working on consenting and compliance issues involved in major projects and developments. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about the law in the environment and planning space, which is a totally new area for me. I love the variety of work and enjoy learning from some of the best lawyers in their fields. I also love that Bell Gully undertakes pro bono work so I’ve jumped on board by signing up to some of that work too.”
Advice for other students
Gloria has some great advice for other students.
“Hard work, determination and a bit of confidence will get you through! Yes, study is challenging but it’s so worth it at the end. Work hard, lean on those around you and reach out to the support systems in place at AUT.”
Her other piece of advice is simple: take care of yourself.
“To help others, we need to make sure we look after ourselves. Remember to reflect on your achievements, take breaks or vacations, make time for family or fun, and celebrate each step along the way such as passing that assignment or exam.”
