Northland bred lawyers aim high

Sheridan Webb, left and Huia Harding being admitted as solicitors in Whangarei Law Courts. Photo / Michael Cunningham

It was a whanau day for Huia Harding at the High Court in Whangarei as she became the first member of her family to become a lawyer.

The 23-year-old, who affiliates with Ngatiwai, graduated with an LLB from Waikato University at the end of last year. Ms Harding and Sheridan Webb were last week admitted as solicitors by Justice John Fogarty.

Ms Webb is from Ruakaka and graduated with a BA and LLB from Victoria University in Wellington.

Ms Harding was always interested in issues affecting Maori and that was where her focus in law would be.

"I am fortunate in that I work on Maori legal issues in my current job. My family is always been well connected with the tikanga so for me I've always wanted to help people," said the law clerk at Hamilton-based law firm, McCaw Lewis.

Ms Harding planned to one day return home to Whangarei and work with Maori and their access to justice.

"Understanding of and access to justice is a huge issue for Maori throughout the country but particularly so in Northland.

"Education is key for our people and what better people to teach them than their own," she said.

It was a proud moment for her whanau who gathered in the court.
"It was a whanau day, that's for sure," Ms Harding said.

No one in Ms Webb's family has studied law.

The former Bream Bay College student said she had always been interested in people getting a fair go on topics such as justice, immigration, or social issues like housing.

She currently works for leadership and talent consulting firm Korn Ferry in central Auckland.

The 24-year-old is keen to specialise in employment and immigration policy issues.