VUWLSS—Changing of the guard
The Victoria University of Wellington Law Students’ Society (VUWLSS) plays a crucial role in fostering community and providing support for our law students.
For decades, VUWLSS has provided students with invaluable experiences that extend beyond textbooks. With events like competitions, guest lectures, moots, wine and cheese evenings, and balls, VUWLSS continues to enrich the law school’s academic and social life, fostering success and building strong alumni connections.
V.Alum spoke with past President Valentyn Santhara and future president Helena Palmer, who reflect on the year that’s been and discuss their vision for strengthening the VUWLSS community in the year ahead.
The year that’s been—Valentyn Santhara
I would like to say a big thank you, on behalf of the VUWLSS Executive for 2024, to the Faculty and to my fellow law students for the incredible year we’ve had.
Our goal for this year was to continue to foster an environment that was inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of all law students. VUWLSS is very lucky to work alongside the representative groups—Ngā Rangahautira, Pasifika Law Students’ Society, Asian Law Students’ Association, VUW Feminist Law Society, and Rainbow Law Students’ Society. They are an integral part of our community at Law School, advocating and creating inclusive environments for their respective students.
A highlight this year has been collaborating with the Representative Group Committee to strengthen the law school’s connections with prominent firms. Many VUWLSS presidents have contributed to this project over the years, and I was honoured to help see it through, ensuring thorough consultation and support for students.
This year we have also had the privilege of having spaces dedicated to our representative groups on the ground floor. This has helped more students feel comfortable in the law school environment and built on the sense of community at Government Buildings. Being comfortable in the law school environment is such a big contributor to the health and wellbeing of students and going into 2025 I believe VUWLSS is in great standing to continue building on last year’s momentum.
Looking ahead to 2025—Helena Palmer
Tēnā tatou, ko Helena tōku ingoa. I could not be more excited to step into the role of VUWLSS president for 2025—I hope to do it justice and to serve the student body, here, at Government Buildings.
I grew up in Karori before spending my high school years in Tāmaki Makaurau—Auckland. The allure of law school in the capital drew me back down to Te Whanganui-a-Tara and as I go into my fifth year of university, I am so lucky to still be enjoying it so much. Alongside an LLB, I have studied Political Science and History.
Valentyn’s leadership has been exemplary. The 2025 Executive and I aim to carry forward the momentum from 2024 and continue a strong emphasis on equity and wellbeing events. Education is inherently linked to the hauora of students and we want to use our resources to promote that aspect of university life—helping to uplift and to ease pressures.
The community at Government Buildings would not be the same without the representative groups we now share a hallway with. I am looking forward to working with all the groups and their leaders in 2025—Evo and Tarifa (Pasifika Law Students’ Society), Tamati and Whakaahurangi (Ngā Rangahautira), Josh and Hattie (Rainbow Law Students’ Society), Georgie and Carter (VUW Feminist Law Society), and Eleesha and Shajan (Asian Law Students’ Association).
I hope that, a year from now, I can reflect on a successful 2025 that has seen the student community embrace the many opportunities that life at Law School offers. There is work to do and I am eager to ‘get stuck in’ alongside all the people who make it happen.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.