Law For Change Waikato
Following its launch in 2013, Law For Change Waikato has grown rapidly, bringing together like-minded members who are driven to use their legal skills to affect change and give back to the local community.
Our projects focus on assisting local community groups, institutions and organisations. Our members have the opportunity to apply their individual strengths and to gain new skills, while improving access to justice within the Waikato region.
Roshni Bava
President
Roshni is in her final year at the University of Waikato, studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy (Ethics). Her passions include the protection of human rights and expanding animal welfare law within New Zealand and around the world. She believes in engaging with members of our community and working towards meeting their interests. In her spare time, Roshni is an avid painter and sketcher. She also enjoys cooking, loves to travel and one day hopes to explore all the seven continents of the world (even Antarctica!).
Ben Hansard
Vice-president
Ben is in his third year at the University of Waikato, studying towards a Bachelor of Laws. He has previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English. In his spare time he volunteers at IHC. He is also passionate about human rights, law reform, music, travel, cats and really good kebabs.
Aiden Edwards
Treasurer
Aiden is of Māori, Spanish and English ancestry. He is from Tikapa, East Coast and has tribal affiliations to Ngati Porou, Ruawaipu, Uepohatu, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti. He is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Waikato. He is interested in Māori, politics, history and religion. He is dedicated to family, church, helping those in need and working hard for a brighter future. He enjoys meeting like-minded people.
Matthew Kidd
University relations
Matthew is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Waikato. His legal interests are in environmental, planning and resource management law, and the Treaty of Waitangi. His academic interests are in law, business, history, geography, public policy and politics, which he is actively engaged in. He is currently working for the Department of Conservation in their Statutory Land Management Team, and he is also a Senior Residential Assistant in the halls of residence at the University of Waikato. Matthew likes a challenge and undertakes additional roles and responsibilities that are practical and apply to ‘real world’ situations.
Michelle Chen
Mentor
Michelle established Law For Change’s presence in Hamilton and hopes to expand it to the wider Waikato region. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Laws at Waikato University while taking a break from completing her Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) at Otago University. She has a passion for developing a network of those interested in public interest law and is motivated to work toward positive changes in that area. Michelle spends her spare time seeking new adventures here and abroad. She also loves coffee and desserts.
Legal Education
The Legal Education team assists the wider community accessing the law. We do this through seminars, Q&A sessions, and workshops. The Legal Education team works with local community groups and organisations in order to understand the unmet justice needs within the community and actively tries to fulfil them.
Kimberley Kilgour
Kimberley is in her fourth year, studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science. She is passionate about people and is studying in order to equip and position herself to help others. She is a proud mum of a seven-year-old boy named Dodj and enjoys watching him own it in his rugby games.
Gaia Church
Gaia is a fourth-year student studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Management Studies at the University of Waikato. She is currently on exchange for at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She is passionate about the environment, social justice, human rights, indigenous rights, and motivating law students to make a positive change in their communities. In her spare time, Gaia enjoys baking, hockey, swimming at her hometown beach, and creative writing.