New Zealand
Need To Know
Ae'au Semi Epati
Ae'au Semi Epati became New Zealand's first Pacific district court judge when he was appointed to the Manukau Court in 2002. The former top Samoan lawyer speaks to Pacific Magazine’s Peter Rees on his first five years in the job and reflects on the challenges he has faced.
Pacific Magazine: It has been five years since you were appointed New Zealand's first Pacific district court judge. What has been the highlight during that time?
Ae'au Semi Epati: I can't talk or discuss the cases I have presided over. But the whole experience of being a judge is a 'highlight' in itself! It is the most satisfying and self-fulfilling experience I have ever had in my personal and legal career.
PM: What has been the most challenging aspect of making the transition from lawyer to judge?
Ae'au: As a lawyer you advocate and argue a certain legal point for your client. As a judge you make decisions. This in itself is a challenge of magnanimous proportions. As the first Pacific Island judge in a different culture there are cultural and jurisprudential challenges that overlay the whole experience. Both are challenging and will continue to be so.
PM: What unique qualities do you bring to the table as a judge of Pacific descent?
Ae'au: By and large there are none to speak of. But every now and then I find I need to resort to my Pacific Island heritage to resolve certain appropriate cases obviously involving cultural issues. I'm fortunate to be able to speak several Pacific languages and where appropriate I have spoken it directly to the persons concerned to ensure there is no misunderstanding of what the law in New Zealand is.
PM: Has becoming a judge given you a different insight into New Zealand's Pacific communities?
Ae'au: Not really. There is definitely a difference between Island-born and New Zealand-born Islanders. At present there is a 50-50 balance between the two, and one needs to differentiate between them. In time I would imagine a predominance of NZ-born. They are just like any other New Zealand-born, ethnicity and cultural differentiation merge to make it easier to manage. But all this I knew from practicing as a lawyer.
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PM: Being based in South Auckland, and with the rising violence and crime in that area, how has this impacted on your role as a judge?
Ae'au: It is a problem and almost certainly will continue to be a problem for some time to come. This I opine to be more a matter of location and social circumstances than anything else - being closest to the international airport one expects to be the first port of call for everyone landing in New Zealand, and the first clash of cultures and personalities.
PM: Have you always envisaged a career in law, even while growing up in Samoa?
Ae'au: No not really - I took science subjects through secondary school. In my days you don't 'envisage' any career. You just take as much schooling as is there on offer and then see what there is for a job at the end. I was fortunate to have won a scholarship from Samoa and my only intention was still the same - take it as long as I can and see what happens! Having ended up as a lawyer and a judge I have no regrets.
PM: Who has been most influential in your career and life?
Ae'au: The most influential in my life is my grandfather and grandmother who brought me up. My father also who I got to know and close to after my grandparents passed away. They taught me the value of hard work and being honest with yourself in all matters no matter how small.
PM: What are your earliest memories of life growing up in Samoa?
Ae'au: My birth certificate says I was born at Saleimoa in Upolu. But as I was brought up by my grandparents, my first memories growing up are of Falealupo in Savai’i playing hide-and-seek in the golden sands of the village.
PM: What other involvement do you have in the Pacific community?
Ae'au: I am lecturing at the Auckland University Law School in Pacific Legal Studies. I am also a member of the Support Reference Group for Pacific Island Students in that University. Similarly, I am a member of the Pacific Peoples' Reference Group at my University, the Otago University in Dunedin. I am regularly invited to appear and speak at Secondary Schools, University Students, Church Youth Clubs and other Community groups as a motivational speaker to encourage our young people to succeed. I am also a patron of the Auckland Samoa Rugby Club where most of our young players get their tuition for national honors.
PM: What does it take to be a judge and do you have any words of advice to other aspiring Pacific peoples?
Ae'au: First and foremost to be a judge is a lot of hard work! If you are dedicated to law and the pursuit of justice this is the most satisfying experience you can have. My advice is - work hard in everything you do, be honest in whatever you do, and then leave everything to God. If you were meant to be, you'll get there. If not, you were meant to be somewhere else! Good luck!
FACTFILE:
Born and educated in Samoa, Ae'au Semi Epati received a government scholarship to come to New Zealand for further education and attended Waitaki Boys High School, Oamaru and then Otago University. He graduated with a BA (major in Philosophy) and LLB. Judge Epati has considerable legal experience, having served in the Attorney General's Office in Samoa before moving into private practice in 1977 in Samoa. His work took him to Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Hawaii and California. He returned to New Zealand in 1990. A former President of the Western Samoa Law Society, Judge Epati was appointed a Temporary Magistrate in Samoa for six months in 1986, and served as Attorney General of the Government of Niue in 1995 - 1996. He is fluent in Samoan, Tokelauan and Tuvaluan, and has an understanding of Niuean and Tongan.
Judge A'e'au Semi Epati now presides over general and youth court cases in the Manukau District Court.
