Rising stars raising the bar in Aotearoa’s dispute resolution sector
The 2021 AMINZ Scholarships Announced
Two rising stars in the world of dispute resolution have been named the first recipients of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) scholarships.
Sharnika Leleni has received the 2021 AMINZ Determinative Scholarship, an award focussed on arbitration, and Tunisia Set Ārena (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua; nō Te Tai Tokerau) has been named the 2021 AMINZ Consensual Scholarship winner, focussed on mediation.
Recently established in line with the Institute’s commitment to growing diversity and leadership in Aotearoa’s dispute resolution sector, the scholarship entry period saw 19 young professionals submit highly compelling applications.
Sharnika and Set will hold their respective scholarships for the coming year and will receive a number of professional development opportunities through AMINZ and its network, including a senior AMINZ member as a dispute resolution mentor, observation days with senior dispute resolution practitioners and speaking slots on a dispute resolution topic of their choice at the annual AMINZ Conference in August 2021.
The winners: what the scholarship means to them
Sharnika Leleni: Promoting Arbitration in Dispute Resolution
Sharnika, a graduate in Russell McVeagh’s litigation team from 2019 and with a solid interest in the procedural aspects of law, is determined to use this scholarship to build a strong link between AMINZ and Pasifika lawyers to promote arbitration as a main form of dispute resolution.
From a bicultural family (Pākehā/Niuean) Sharnika is particularly passionate about the opportunities that arbitration affords parties who are from different cultural backgrounds. “Arbitration is an opportunity to settle disputes in a manner largely determined by the parties, and cultural diversity could be improved in this space.”
She is particularly looking forward to speaking at the Annual Conference. “Having the chance to talk with and observe senior and experienced arbitrators will be invaluable in shaping my legal career", says Sharnika.
Tunisia Set Ārena: Determined to challenge the face of mediation
An accredited mediator since 2018, Set has excelled on both the New Zealand and international stages as a competitor and a coach in the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competitions.
Now practicing in Russell McVeagh’s commercial litigation team, Set says they are determined to challenge the face of mediation.
“Minorities don’t always get an equal opportunity to drive home their unique perspective and innovations,” Set says. “I want to be a leader in this space for all those minority communities of which I am part as well as all those with whom I stand in support.”
Set is looking forward to using the scholarship to increase their real word experience by working closely with professional mediators as well as using it as a platform to share their understandings.
“Ngākau harikoa au ki te mahi a AMINZ kia tautoko ai he tāngata katoa, he kaupapa katoa i te mahi whakatau me te mahi takawaenga – I am delighted to work with AMINZ in its support of diverse peoples and practices in arbitration and mediation,” says Set.
Impressed with the high calibre of candidates, AMINZ President Mark Kelly said, “If ever you are wondering whether the future might be in good hands, fear not. In dispute resolution, at least, we have a crop of smart, talented, hard-working, empathetic and brave young people, all stars in the making, to pick up the baton. I am confident they will enhance our world.”
AMINZ Executive Director, Sue Wells is delighted with the response. “To have 19 candidates of such incredible calibre in our first year of running the scholarship programme is just fantastic. The face of dispute resolution in Aotearoa New Zealand needs to reflect our population, and AMINZ has made a first principles commitment to making sure we do our part to make that happen.”
For more information, please contact Sue Wells, Executive Director, 027 229 0505, executivedirector@aminz.org.nz
