PUBLISHED MARCH 2024
Tenacity to triumph: Lafoai Tims, Lawyer and Advocate
Lafoai Tims is a force in the legal world, her dedication to justice fuelled by a life built on resilience. As a school student, Lafoai’s dream destination seemed impossibly distant. Yet today, she stands as a successful lawyer, using her education to advocate for those in need. Lafoai’s remarkable trajectory shows the power of having a hand up and the support of people who believe in you.
Lafoai’s career is about championing justice
Lafoai’s career in law has been about excellence and positive impact. She recently worked for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care. Before this, she worked at the Auckland Crown Office on criminal and regulatory prosecutions. She harnessed her own life experiences to empower others.
“I was part of First Foundation’s class of 2012, with a scholarship from Coca-Cola Amatil. In 2018, I graduated from the University of Auckland with a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degree. I was the first in my family to go to university and graduate.
From a young age, Lafoai’s determination and compassion shone. She achieved outstanding academic results, even as she navigated a complex personal life. Her teachers at One Tree Hill saw she was the ideal candidate for First Foundation’s programme.
The scholarship set a foundation for the future
She says, “When I received the scholarship, I was going through a lot of changes in my personal life. I’d just moved into a new home with my new foster caregivers. And I was on my own personal journey of healing. It was difficult for me to imagine what a good life would look like when everything seemed so tough.”
Lafoai’s goal was to be a lawyer and advocate for the underserved. She had the intellect and the determination but knew she’d face many barriers, including the cost of study. When she received a letter telling her about the scholarship, everything changed.
Lafoai with her mentor Denise Wallwork, a criminal barrister and now a retired judge
“I will never forget that day. Because it was a day, I felt a sense of security, a new beginning, and hope for a better life for myself. I really wanted to go to university and study law.
“The work experience in mentoring and the financial contribution to university fees. I felt that every aspect of the scholarship had its purpose, and it was a package deal.
Lafoia was matched with Denise Wallwork. Denise was a criminal barrister and is now a retired judge.
Mentoring connects generations
“Denise came at the right time in my life because I needed a role model to keep me focused on my studies. And to turn to when I needed advice. Denise showed me what it would be like to work in the legal profession. And I knew then, even before I graduated, that working in the legal profession as a young Pacific woman wouldn’t be easy.
“I’m super grateful for her. What made our relationship really successful was fully committing to the First Foundation scholarship, experiencing being vulnerable and open with each other, and setting some clear expectations at the very beginning of what we wanted out of our relationship. We went out for coffee, dinner, movies, walks, or I’d shadow her at work.”
For Lafoai, the scholarship provided so much more than she had expected. “I knew it would be a massive help financially. But the way it’s turned out, the financial side is a very minor part of the scholarship – in terms of the meaning, the relationships and the experiences that come with it.”
Lafoai graduated with a BA LLB from the University of Auckland in 2018. She was admitted to the bar in 2019
Lafoai gives from what she’s received
Lafoai feels the need to give back the love and support she received both from her foster family and others who believed in her. While studying, she helped with respite care for other foster children and mentored other students. Now, she’s in a position to make a difference at the highest levels throughout her career.
“Knowing how people feel in those low times, truly understanding that, and being able to support them or help them out of the situation.”
“One of my proudest moments was seeing my granddad very emotional at my admission to the bar ceremony. And for him, it was a fulfilment of this long dream for his grandchildren to do well in New Zealand.
“We moved to New Zealand when I was quite young to have a better life, and seeing him happy at that moment was a very special time for me. And it made all those long hours of work and study all worthwhile.
Lafoai is rightly proud of her phenomenal achievements, but she’s clear about the importance of funders, sponsors, volunteers and all of those in the First Foundation ecosystem.
“If I have seen further, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants. A lot of people have helped me to get to where I am today: First Foundation, my mentor, and all of those who supported me in this journey. They’ve all had a significant role to play.”
Lafoai gives from what she’s received
Lafoai feels the need to give back the love and support she received both from her foster family and others who believed in her. While studying, she helped with respite care for other foster children and mentored other students. Now, she’s in a position to make a difference at the highest levels throughout her career.
“Knowing how people feel in those low times, truly understanding that, and being able to support them or help them out of the situation.”
“One of my proudest moments was seeing my granddad very emotional at my admission to the bar ceremony. And for him, it was a fulfilment of this long dream for his grandchildren to do well in New Zealand.
“We moved to New Zealand when I was quite young to have a better life, and seeing him happy at that moment was a very special time for me. And it made all those long hours of work and study all worthwhile.
Lafoai is rightly proud of her phenomenal achievements, but she’s clear about the importance of funders, sponsors, volunteers and all of those in the First Foundation ecosystem.
“If I have seen further, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants. A lot of people have helped me to get to where I am today: First Foundation, my mentor, and all of those who supported me in this journey. They’ve all had a significant role to play.
Lafoai Tims’ journey is extraordinary. However, there are many untold stories that are waiting to be shared with the right support. First Foundation recognises the potential of driven students who may lack the resources or support network to achieve their dreams. Your support not only changes lives, it can contribute to the next generation of impact.
