Mila Urlich at the ceremony to receive the Jolene Patuawa-Tuilave Māori Leadership in Law Scholarship. “From what I have heard of her, Jolene was a force to be reckoned with, and was adored by all who knew her. It is an honour to be associated with her.”
“I learned so much during my time in Otago, to the extent that I barely recognise the girl that first arrived from the Far North in 2019,” says Mila Urlich (Taranaki).
“I also gained a lot of confidence in myself along the way – high school Mila could never have imagined volunteering for leadership roles, or even public speaking.”
Mila graduated on Saturday, 11 May with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Economics, and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours.
Mila’s ability as a leader was recognised at an event on Friday, 10 May where she was celebrated as this year’s recipient of the Jolene Patuawa-Tuilave Māori Leadership in Law Scholarship.
This special scholarship was established by the University of Otago Council in 2013 in remembrance of Jolene Patuawa-Tuilave, a promising graduate treasured by both colleagues and whanaunga in her short professional career.
Mila feels incredibly privileged by this honour.
“From what I have heard of her, Jolene was a force to be reckoned with and was adored by all who knew her. It is an honour to be associated with her. And not only with her, but with the previous recipients of this scholarship, who are all brilliant people that I have admired since I was in first year.”
Mila served as tumuaki (leader) of Te Roopū Whai Putake in 2023, also the year the association celebrated 30 years since it was established. Held in the days leading up to the Law Faculty’s 150th, these celebrations were attended by many alumni and tauira, and included a panel discussion by all past recipients of the Jolene Putuawa-Tuilave scholarship.
“Moving to the other end of the country taught me strength and independence, but at the same time it reminded me of the importance of whānau. I was lucky to find a second whānau in Te Roopū Whai Putake.
“It provided friendships, tuakana, skill development, opportunities, yummy kai – the list goes on. I was so grateful for what it provided me. I just wanted to give back as much as I could, which eventually culminated in me taking on the role of tumuaki.
“Being tumuaki was pretty full on, and it presented a lot of new challenges for me but, given that it was in an organisation that I love so dearly and felt so comfortable in, it made it a whole lot more manageable.”
Mila says Law lecturer Mihiata Pirini was a huge support to her as tumuaki, and in supervising her final-year dissertation.
She acknowledges her whānau “for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and attend Otago”, her cousin Keziah who supported her through her first three years at Otago, and her friends and flatmates “for providing good times and tolerating me during the bad”.
Mila is now working in Tāmaki Makaurau, in the property team of law firm Chapman Tripp.
“Honestly, I originally chose law on a whim. Coming to university, I was quite overwhelmed and unsure what I wanted to do with my life. As my time in Dunedin progressed, it became clear that I had made the right choice for me.
“I love the problem-solving aspect of law, I love that it is people-centric, and I also love the wide variety of work and opportunities that come with it.”
Mila with her whānau at the ceremony. Pictured from left are her father Marin, mother Maree, brother Luka, Mila, boyfriend Kyle, cousin Keziah and grandmother (māmā) Jeanie.