The University of Waikato has made significant additions to its law faculty, marking a milestone for Pacific representation and expertise in New Zealand. Tafaoimalo Tologata Professor Leilani Tuala-Warren, a former Supreme Court Justice from Samoa, has been appointed as a Professor of Law at the university.
From Fiji, Unaisi Narawa has joined the law faculty as a lecturer and will also take on the role of Convener for Pacific Engagement. These appointments underscore the burgeoning talent emerging from Pacific communities and signify a significant moment for New Zealand’s identity as a Pacific nation.
Dr. Keakaokawai (Keaka) Varner Hemi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific, emphasized that both Professor Tuala-Warren and Ms. Narawa possess impressive credentials and extensive experience within Pacific legal contexts and communities. Their expertise covers a range of spheres including legal practice, academia, policy, and the judiciary, all focused on issues of significance to Pacific people. Their arrival is anticipated to provide crucial mentorship and authoritative perspectives to foster the incorporation of indigenous knowledge and outlooks.
Professor Tuala-Warren has achieved the distinction of becoming the first Pacific woman in New Zealand to attain the esteemed position of law professor. Her accomplished career spanning 26 years encompasses roles in legal practice, academia, policy making, and the judiciary. A notable accomplishment is her tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Samoa from 2016 to 2023, a feat that saw her become only the second woman to achieve this position.
Furthermore, Professor Tuala-Warren shares a special association with the University of Waikato. She has previously been a part of the law faculty and was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.
Expressing her anticipation, Professor Tuala-Warren stated her eagerness to engage with law students and ignite their enthusiasm for the legal field. She also expressed her humility at becoming the first Pacific woman of her descent to secure a law professorship in New Zealand. Her aspiration is to serve as an inspiration for young women growing up in the Pacific Islands and encourage them to consider law as a viable path.
Unaisi Narawa, on the other hand, is an accomplished legal professional with a Bachelor of Law from the University of the South Pacific, where she was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor. She boasts a Master of Laws along with postgraduate qualifications in legislative drafting and tertiary teaching. Her professional history includes roles such as a senior government lawyer for Nauru’s Department of Justice and Border Control and more recently, as legislative counsel for the Parliament. With over a decade of academic experience, Narawa has also just submitted her PhD at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Narawa’s decision to join the University of Waikato is rooted in the institution’s dedication to fostering stronger connections with the Pacific and its Pasifika staff and students. Her intention is to contribute to the educational commitment of the university while focusing on sharing her expertise and insights regarding Pasifika legal matters. Narawa views her new role as a platform for personal growth, learning, and utilizing her skills to make meaningful contributions both within the university and across the broader Pacific region.