Moana-Oceania Academic Initiative (“MAI”) – Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (“UTAS”) Moana Oceania/Pacific for LLB Part II 2025

Guidelines

To be eligible for consideration under UTAS Moana Oceania/Pacific you must:

1. Complete the online general Application for Admission into LLB Part II by Sunday, 1 December 2024. However, it is encouraged that you apply for this ASAP using the Apply Now function.
2. Provide proof of your Indigenous Moana Oceania/Pacific Island ancestry (refer to Section 2 of the Application Form below);
3. Be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident;
4. Have achieved at least a C- grade in LAW 121G, and a C+ grade in LAW 131 and LAW 141, AND completed and passed five non-law courses (75 points), AND have a LawGPA of at least 3.0;
5. Have attended the UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific Information Session – Monday, 9^th September 2024 in person at 5pm
6. Have attended the UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific Make-Up Information Session via ZOOM – Monday, 23^rd September 2024 at 6pm.
7. Complete and submit the UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific Application Form for Admission into LLB Part II by Monday, 11 November 2024. Please note - late applications will be considered at the discretion of the UTAS Moana-Oceania Interview Panel;
8. You must be available for an interview if requested by the UTAS Moana-Oceania Interview Panel between Monday, 18 November – Wednesday, 27 November 2024.

Please read the following before completing the Ancestry section of the Application Form:

Ethnicity and Ancestry
Ethnicity is the ethnic group(s) that people identify with or feel they belong to, and is a measure of cultural affiliation, as opposed to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship. Ethnicity is self-perceived, and people can belong to more than one ethnic group. A person’s ethnicity may not necessarily match their ancestry.

Ancestry is a biological and historical concept and refers to a person's blood descent. You are eligible for consideration under the Moana Oceania/Pacific TAS if you are of indigenous Moana Oceania/Pacific Island ancestry and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand.

Moana Oceania/Pacific regions
For the purposes of the Moana Oceania TAS, the Moana Oceania regions category includes Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Fiji, Rotuma, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Wallis and Futuna, Hawai’i, French Polynesia, Rapanui (Easter Island).

Indigeneity
Indigenous Moana Oceania Islanders are the native, original inhabitants of these islands/regions.

Certification of Ancestry
The certification of your indigenous Moana Oceania/Pacific Island ancestry must be completed by a Church Elder or Community Leader who knows your family, a Justice of the Peace, or solicitor.

The Certifier must be of Moana Oceania/Pacific Island descent (excluding the Justice of the Peace/Solicitor) and cannot be your sibling, spouse, parent, or grandparent. Your UTAS Moana Oceania/Pacific application will not be considered until your Certification of Ancestry form has been completed (and any verification concerns have been addressed).

Please note: 

We will contact your Certifier if we require further information with regard to your ancestry. If we cannot reach your Certifier on the details provided, your application will not be accepted. Please ensure that you provide the correct contact details for your Certifier.

If you have any questions regarding the UTAS Moana Oceania/Pacific please contact:

Jeremiah Lafaele

Moana Oceania Student Support Adviser 

• Email: jeremiah.lafaele@auckland.ac.nz
• Building 810, Room 231

The UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific exists to address issues of under-representation of Moana-Oceania/Pacific people within the Law Faculty, and also within the New Zealand legal community. It is essential, therefore, that applicants admitted under this scheme are willing and able to use the skills and knowledge they will acquire through their studies to benefit Moana-Oceania/Pacific people. This can be done in many ways, for example, through positive role modelling, community involvement, or advocacy. The following question will help the UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific Committee assess your motivation and ability to contribute to this objective.

Note:

• You must attach relevant documentation to support your statement (e.g. references, certificates, letters of recommendation, photographs.)
• You may have to compile the relevant documents into a single document or PDF to upload

If you have additional documents that you are unable to upload please email them to jeremiah.lafaele@auckland.ac.nz  Monday, 11 November 2024. 

Late applications will be considered at the discretion of the UTAS Moana-Oceania/Pacific Interview Panel.