31 May 2023
Abigail Johnson
By email:
[FYI request #22673 email]
Tēnā koe Abigail
Official information request for law student numbers, including Māori
students
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 3 May 2023:
“For the academic years of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, please provide the
following data sets:
(a) Total number of students enrolled in first-year law courses at VUW;
(b) Total number of Māori students enrolled in first-year law courses at VUW;
(c) Total number of students admitted to second-year law at VUW;
(d) Total number of Māori students admitted to second-year law at VUW;
(e) Total number of law graduates; and
(f) Total number of Māori law graduates.”
The University’s response is set out below.
2019
2020
2021
2022
Total number of students
773
762
763
710
enrolled in first-year law courses
at VUW
Total number of Māori students
123
128
135
111
enrolled in first-year law courses
at VUW
Total number of students
328
330
318
349
admitted to second-year law at
VUW
Total number of Māori students
44
48
54
64
admitted to second-year law at
VUW
Total number of law graduates
294
330
293
281
Total number of Māori law
34
38
38
28
graduates
Please note, information regarding students admitted to second year law is calculated
using enrolment in LAWS297 as a proxy indicator of second year enrolment. LAWS297 is
a required paper for second year students that must be taken in the year a student is
admitted to second year law. The figures do not include students who were declined or
cancelled applications to be admitted to second year law, or who were offered a place but
withdrew in first four weeks, and people who were repeating the paper.
The data relating to law graduates includes all law graduates, including people who have
graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Law, Bachelor of Laws (including Bachelor of
Law with Honours), or Master of Laws.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the
decisions made regarding this request. Information about how to make a complaint is
available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email].
Ngā mihi nui
Blair Doherty
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington