Three inspiring Northland teenagers have received a significant step up in their journey to study at university, through WRMK Lawyers Scholarship programme.
Whangarei Girls High School Prefect Monica Young, Kerikeri High School Prefect Annaliese Brewer, and Kerikeri High School Head Girl Te Kauri Kingi have been named as the winners of WRMK Lawyers’ 2025 Law Scholarships.
WRMK Lawyers Law Scholarships support aspiring law students who have demonstrated academic ability and leadership, but are facing significant financial need or have life circumstances that present barriers to studying at university. Monica, Annaliese and Te Kauri will benefit from a $10,000 cash contribution, guaranteed paid work experience after their second year of study, and a mentor from WRMK Lawyers.
Monica and Annaliese will commence their legal studies in 2026, while Te Kauri will commence her legal studies in 2027 after completing her full immersion te reo Māori study in 2026.
“We were very impressed by the high calibre of applications received this year. Monica, Annaliese and Te Kauri stood out for their commitment to their studies, strong motivation, and involvement in their communities. The purpose of our Scholarship is to help remove barriers to study for students with real potential, and we are pleased to support them as they continue their legal studies”, says Managing Director Rebecca Merry.
“Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to study law as I have had a great interest in how the law works to shape the society we live in. I am beyond grateful for this scholarship provided by WRMK Lawyers, and I am honoured to represent the future of Northland lawyers. With WRMK Lawyers helping me on my journey, I am able to make myself and my family proud as I continue to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer,” says Monica.
“Law and politics have been longstanding passions of mine, originating from my care for others and awareness of community struggles in Northland. Whatever field of law I end up working in, my focus will be on providing people with fair outcomes and maintaining justice. Next year I will be attending the Victoria University of Wellington to study a Bachelor of Laws, conjoint with a Bachelor of Politics majoring in international relations and political science. The support from WRMK Lawyers via their scholarship not only alleviates the monetary pressure of university fees but it also gives me confidence for my future because of the invaluable experiences I will gain from the internship with WRMK Lawyers. I will forever be grateful for the support of WRMK Lawyers and hope to give back to my community in similar ways like they have,” says Annaliese.
“I am truly honoured to receive this scholarship, which provides an important foundation for my journey into law at the University of Waikato. In 2026, I plan to dedicate myself to Te Tohu Paetahi to deepen my understanding of te reo Māori, a commitment that is central to who I am and to the kind of lawyer I aspire to be. Language carries culture, values, and worldview, and grounding myself in te reo and tikanga Māori will shape how I engage with the legal system when I begin my law studies in 2027. I am committed to using the law to advocate for Māori legal issues, including Treaty of Waitangi claims and indigenous rights, and to contributing to a future where tikanga Māori is meaningfully recognised and embedded within the legal framework of Aotearoa,” says Te Kauri.
WRMK Lawyers’ scholarship programme is now in its fifth year, and forms part of WRMK Lawyer’s Community Strategy. Monica, Annaliese and Te Kauri now bring the total number of WRMK Scholars to ten.
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