Student societies
Get involved with the Faculty of Law's student societies and associations.
Law Students’ Society
The Victoria University of Wellington Law Students’ Society (VUWLSS) has two major functions. The first is to advance and promote educational opportunities for law students at all levels. VUWLSS presents opportunities for students to hone their legal skills through competitions, lectures, and study groups. The other very important function is to enhance the law school experience—making it more rewarding, dynamic, and interesting for students.
VUWLSS serves the interests of students outside of the classroom through sell-out social events, engaging speakers, and enviable opportunities for further learning and hands-on experience.
To keep up to date with all things VUWLSS Like us on Facebook @VictoriaUniversityOfWellingtonLawStudents’Society! (https://www.facebook.com/VUWLSS) Like ‘VUWLSS Careers’ on Facebook for more on careers and like ‘VUWLSS Competitions’ on Facebook for more on competitions.
Also, don't forget to join your respective Facebook groups: ‘VUWLSS 2021’ (Main group for second years and above only), ‘VUWLSS – Second Year Law 2021’, or ‘VUWLSS – First Year Law 2021’.
Feel free to pop by the VUWLSS office (G16) with any questions, queries or concerns or email us at vuwlss@gmail.com.
Ngā Rangahautira — Maori Law Students’ Association
Ko Ngā Rangahautira tētahi rōpū e tautoko ana i ngā mahi a ngā akonga Māori e whai ana i te tohu ture. Ko ngā mahi a Ngā Rangahautira, he tautoko, he akiaki i ngā akonga ki te whai I tēnei rākau ture a te Pākehā. He rōpū awhina, tautoko i ngā akonga Māori ki te whakanui i tō tātou Māoritanga i roto i te ture.
Ngā Rangahautira is the Māori Law Students’ Association at the University. Its primary focus is to assist and support Māori Law students with their studies at the Law School by fostering a commitment to tikanga Māori and ngā ture Pākehā. As a Māori student completing an LLB, you can be elected as a representative on the executive committee. The committee aims to provide a fun and safe whānau environment that increases awareness and understanding of Māori issues that are encountered at the Law School.
Māori students are encouraged to participate in events run by Ngā Rangahautira, which include an introduction to 100-level law, academic workshops, Noho Marae, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, negotiation and moot competitions and networking with firms!
Every year, Ngā Rangahautira works towards actively participating in Hui Ā Tau, the conference organised by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, where Māori Law students from all over the country gather to interact with lawyers, judges, academics, politicians, and each other. Ngā Rangahautira actively encourages new Māori law students to participate and be guided through an exploration and expression of their Māoritanga in the law. Once a member of Ngā Rangahautira, always a member of Ngā Rangahautira.
Room GB140C, Government Buildings, Pipitea Campus
Email - ngarangahautira1986@gmail.com
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/NgaRangahautira
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714959225461329
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nga_rangahautira/
Pacific Island Law Students’ Society (PILSS)
PILSS was established by students with the aim of encouraging and maintaining Pasifika success and growth within the Faculty of Law while providing a social and supportive environment. We work together on initiatives with the Pasifika law coordinator to aid our goal and aims, and to ensure a student voice is being heard.
PILSS also organises and takes part in a number of social and academic events throughout the year—one of them being an annual law conference in which students have the opportunity to participate in mooting and present papers on topics of their choice. PILSS is a great opportunity to meet other students from a similar cultural background not only within Victoria University of Wellington, but from other universities as well. PILSS helps promote Pasifika ideals within the Faculty and, in its role as a representative body, is affiliated to the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association.
Email - pilss.vuw@gmail.com
Asian Law Students’ Society
The Asian Law Students' Association (ALSA) is a student organisation based at Victoria University’s Faculty of Law, with a goal of strengthening the legal profession with more Asian representation. We foster a friendly and inclusive support community for students of a shared cultural background by providing social, educational and cultural opportunities at Victoria University. These include free academic workshops full of practical tips and tricks, casual and cozy catch-ups where we enjoy great food and company, and even a talent show where students can fully express themselves and their individuality!
Every year we run our Mentoring Programme that allows older law students, recent graduates and young legal professionals to mentor ALSA members, with mentors offering advice on forming professional goals, managing stress, networking and other practical advice. The aim is to create long-lasting friendships and relationships that will be of value when students enter the legal field.
We take pride in our heritage and strive to celebrate our cultural values. We facilitate platforms where students can bond through shared experiences and have meaningful chats and we intend to provide more of these opportunities for discussion into 2021.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alsaatvuw
Feminist Law Students’ Society
Kia ora koutou!
The Victoria University of Wellington Feminist Law Society (VUWFLS) is a student group based at Victoria University. VUWFLS is a group for law students, of all genders, who are interested in feminism, gender equality, and structural oppression at Law School. While women and non-binary people make up around 60% of law school graduates, there are still significant barriers to success and engagement that women face at law school and in the legal profession. We are aware that gender is only one layer of oppression, so VUWFLS aims to take an inclusive and intersectional approach to feminism.
We run great events throughout the year, host weekly social catchups, get involved in campaigns and help to advocate for students. In 2021, we plan to continue running our weekly catchups, make the feminist moot into a national competition and to continue to host great events like last year. Our social events are a great way to make friends and get involved with the group! We aim to make all of our events a safe space, and allow people to think about their own version of feminism and how they could be used to support other people in the legal world.
If you want to reach out and contact us, or stay up to date with what we have planned for this year:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VUWFLS
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vuwfls/?hl=en
Email - (vuwfeministlawsociety@gmail.com)
Rainbow Law Student’s Society
Kia ora, e te whānau!
We are the Rainbow Law Student's Society. We aim to celebrate and educate on intersectional queer culture within law school, and feed this through into the legal profession. We welcome rainbow identifying people and allies to come join us in casual social spaces and other events such as panels, quizzes, craft activities and a mentorship programme. Keep an eye out for queer people in the profession we will be bringing to VUW to share their experiences! We hope to see you at our events and that you learn something from the resources you'll see around campus. If you'd like to be a member, we have the anonymous google form linked on our Facebook page.
We can't wait to meet you all! 🏳️🌈✨🏳️⚧
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vuwrainbowlaw