Anson Li receives AUT Prestige Law Prize
Every year we support AUT law by offering the Prestige Law Prize to the highest achieving student of a Chinese decent. On top of academic achievements, this year’s winner Anson’s story is truly inspiring and he shares his journey with us:
“While it is a total surprise to me to receive the AUT Prestige Lawyers Prize, I am honoured and humbled.
I was born and raised in China but moved to New Zealand in 2001 as an international student. I spent a year at a language school as I couldn’t speak much English. After completed my bachelor’s degree in Business in 2005, I worked in various jobs which had nothing to do with my degree, including as a factory operator and a warehouse inventory controller.
In 2010, I joined the New Zealand Police which again had little connection to my tertiary study. However, it has been the best decision I have made so far in my life. As a Police officer, I get to work with a group of amazing men and women, and I have the opportunity to help our community in difficult situations. I also get to represent the Chinese community and to help voice their concerns within Police.
In 2012, I decided to start my Law degree with AUT. I felt that I will be better off learning how the other side works so I can better win my battles at Court. It has been a long journey, and I would not have reached the end without the support of my family and the New Zealand Police. All my supervisors have been really supportive, so I was able to complete my degree while also working full time.
I work at Counties Manukau which is the most demographically and culturally diverse Policing District. The rapid Chinese population growth brings about many challenges for the Police. I hope with my Law degree, I will be able to have positive influence both within New Zealand Police and community partners as I know together we can enhance the trust and confidence of our Chinese community.
I would like to thank Prestige Law for its support to Chinese students who study at AUT. I was asked to write something about myself which is supposed to be inspirational. I found this task impossible as I do not believe I have done anything out of the ordinary. I would like to encourage our young Chinese community to consider law as a career. Yes, it is lots of hard work but it is definitely achievable, and when you come out from the other end it is incredibly rewarding.
Prestige Law does lots of great work with the Chinese community including offering practical legal advice for our Chinese community and a pro-bono mediation service. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work together with Prestige Law in the crime prevention space in the future.
In the end, it is my duty to throw in our recruitment talk. If you care enough to be a Cop check out our website www.newcops.co.nz.”
