Makuini Paulger will have a very steady hand guiding her through her law studies when she heads to Victoria University next year.
The Rangitikei College head girl has been awarded a scholarship by one of New Zealand's top law firms, Russell McVeagh.
Over 600 school leavers applied, with a shortlist of 30 interviewed for the 14 scholarships awarded. Of those, Makuini received one of the two Martin Dawson Mori Law Scholarships up for grabs. It includes a $500 cash payment and mentoring from the firm's partners and solicitors throughout her degree.
Makuini is studying a range of subjects in her last high school year including English, History, Chemistry and Geography.
She said her family were thrilled with the news and she was excited to get into tertiary study. "I'm going to be the first in my family to even go to university," she said. "It's quite a big step for all of us. They are all really proud of me."
She will get through her first year before deciding which area of law to concentrate on. But she is interested in the Maori Land Court. She said more than the cash, having guidance from experienced, practising lawyers would be invaluable and would also be a foot in the door to a job come graduation time. It wasn't the money that was the biggest thing. "For me it was the mentoring I wanted. I told them that was invaluable."