Harvard law place surpasses dreams

Kingi Snelgar has won a US$33,000 Fulbright Scholarship which will see him head to Harvard Law School in Boston, US. Photo / John Stone

As a 10-year-old boy with an interest in law, Kingi Snelgar never dreamed he would be off to Harvard Law School - but he is.

The 27-year-old of Ngapuhi, Ngati Hau and Te Whakahotea descent and his partner of 10 years Kiri Toki, of Ngati Rehua and Ngatiwai descent, were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to head to Boston's Harvard Law School where they will both complete their Master of Laws.

"When I was young I was always interested in law, in the Treaty of Waitangi and helping communities," he said.

"I never dreamed I'd be going to Harvard."

Fulbright New Zealand offer a range of exchange awards for New Zealanders and Americans wanting to study, research, teach or present work in each other's country.

Mr Snelgar and Ms Toki were each awarded US$33,000 ($49,308) Fulbright Scholarship, which Mr Snelgar said would cover half of the course fees.

"So many people apply to Harvard and only about 150 get into the Masters year. We're both humbled," he said.

Mr Snelgar studied law, Maori studies and politics at the University of Auckland and also spent time working as a prosecutor for the Crown in Auckland.

At Harvard he said he would be studying the sentencing of indigenous offenders.

"The stats speak for themselves. Maori in particular make up half the prison population and yet only make up about 18 per cent of the national population.

"So there must be something, from a very practical view, to change that," Mr Snelgar said.

"Our current model, there are things we can look at to address it, my focus is on rehabilitation and using and reconnecting offenders with their identity.

"Sentencing on the marae - what would that look like?"

He said sometimes the field of law could be tough but he was particularly grateful for having support from his whanau and his partner.

"I mean we do the same thing so she knows what it is like," he said.

Mr Snelgar and Ms Toki will head to Boston on August 4 with a farewell bash held for the pair at Pehiaweri Marae, Whangarei, on Saturday.