Lawyer Matthew Bouzaid takes up first job at Whanganui's Horsley Christie

23-year-old Matthew Bouzaid has moved to Whanganui to take up a role as a solicitor with Horsley Christie. Photo / Ethan Griffiths

Twenty-three-year-old Matthew Bouzaid had only spent about 24 hours in Whanganui over his entire life before he moved here three months ago to take up a job with law firm Horsley Christie.

The recently-graduated lawyer moved from Wellington in late March, after finishing his law degree at Victoria University and looking for his first job.

"My uncle said you should start looking at the provinces and get some hands-on experience. Horsley Christie popped up and I applied for it."

Bouzaid started as a solicitor at Horsley Christie at the end of March, a job he said was just what he was looking for.

"I like it. This is my first desk job, so I had no idea what that entailed coming into it. Everyone is really supportive, really keen to teach me, and they always have time for me," Bouzaid explained.

"I really like that - asking questions and getting guidance is the key to learning."

The role is broad, with Bouzaid helping out in the litigation team, touching on aspects of employment, family and Māori land law.

The former Auckland Grammar student has lived in a big city all his life, and said moving to a provincial city had been a real experience.

Bouzaid is also a budding footballer, playing for Whanganui Athletic. Photo / Lewis Gardner

"I like the community, everyone is super friendly, it's very different coming from cities. My partner is still down in Wellington so it's a bit tough in that respect, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here."

The young lawyer has also entered the local football scene, playing for Whanganui Athletic.

"Football takes up a lot of my time, I'm always with the lads in the weekend."

Bouzaid said working hands-on as a lawyer was a step up from law school, but was proving a real learning experience as he settled into his new career.

"I'm finding the litigation side very interesting, also the employment side. Initially, I had no idea what I was most interested in, so I've been learning that on the job."

"There are far more skills I've learnt in the last three months than the last five years of law school."