Evening Public Seminar: Pacific Peoples in the Criminal Justice System of Aotearoa New Zealand
Thursday 18 July, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Northey Lecture Theatre (Building 801, Level 2, Auckland Law School, 9 Eden Crescent)

This seminar will present the key findings of a Borrin Foundation-funded research project on the experiences of Pacific peoples’ engagement with the criminal justice system, both personally and professionally. The project builds on existing research relating to Pacific peoples and the law, identifying what exists, what is missing and what questions needs to be asked; draws on the responses from more than 50 Knowledge Holders about their experiences in the criminal justice system; and offers recommendations for a transformative justice future.

Litia Tuiburelev is of Samoan descent. She completed her BA/LLB conjoint degrees in 2021 and is currently a lawyer in the Media and Intellectual Property Litigation Team at Bell Gully. She was a research assistant – and eventually co-author of the final reports – for the Borrin Foundation funded research project on Pasifika peoples and the Criminal Justice System in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Elizabeth Lotoa is of Samoan descent. She completed her BA/LLB(Hons) conjoint degrees in 2022 and is currently working at the Auckland High Court. While at Law School, Liz was the Moana Oceania Academic Initiative (MAI) tutor for Torts, and was a research assistant – and eventually co-author of the final reports – for the Borrin Foundation funded research project on Pasifika peoples and the Criminal Justice System in Aotearoa, New Zealand.