First Pacific Island appointed woman Law Professor in New Zealand, Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren
Former Samoa Supreme Court judge, Justice Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren, is now a new Law Professor for the Waikato University in New Zealand.
Her lofty academic elevation is a proud milestone achievement as New Zealand’s first Pacific Island woman to be appointed Professor of Law.
Professor/Justice Tafaoimalo resigned her judiciary role in March this year to set up what is described as a “new journey in Aotearoa as an academia” and in doing so established an “….influential impact as a Samoan and Pasefika woman” in her continuing career in the legal profession.
The law professor responded willingly to attempts by our Newsline Samoa Online to seek her reactions in an exclusive interview to her new legal career pathway
1.NSO : Where and how did this teaching interest of yours came about?
TAFAOIMALO : The interest in teaching is very new. I had been a lecturer in law briefly in 2004 to 2005, but this time the Law School approached me to come onboard. I have always had a lot of respect and gratitude to the University of Waikato, I decided to become part of the staff and give back in whatever way I could.
2. NSO : How does one handle a transition from being a Supreme Court Justice to a University lecturer in law?
TAFAOIMALO : The transition has been smooth. I have gone from saying very little in Court to being the only one who speaks for 2 hours at a time! it is exciting to be at the beginning of the journey for students on their way to becoming lawyers. It is a responsibility that I take seriously as we all want to see well rounded and great lawyers, passionate about the law but at the same time, having the desire to help people.
3. NSO : You’re one of two lecturer ever from the Pacific Is. at this level of academia. How does that distinction factor in for you personally?
TAFAOIMALO : Firsts are not important to me. In saying that I realise that I carry the hopes of the Pacific region and in particular my birth country of Samoa.I do not take that honour lightly. I hope to advance our Pasifika students who study law, attract more Pasifika students(both in the islands and in Aotearoa) to the study of law, and contribute to the University’s vision of excellence in teaching.
4. NSO : What do you miss most about the bench if you reflect back on it?
TAFAOIMALO : The work and my judicial colleagues. I believe we can make a difference in whatever field we are blessed to work. Academia for me has a huge connection to the bench, as I know what I expected of lawyers appearing before me as a Judge and now I can hopefully impart some of that insider knowledge to future lawyers so that they know what is expected of them when they appear in Court
Being born and raised in Samoa and spending almost my whole life in Samoa, has grounded me. I come to Aotearoa with little to no expectations. The University of Waikato and its embracing of Pasifika people is to be commended and thanked for this wonderful opportunity that it has given me. I will endeavour to bring to the role the values of the faaSamoa-humility, respect and integrity, all while having a bit of fun too!