Notary Public: Tongan lawyer pioneers Pacific representation in NZ’s legal landscape

Tongan lawyer Pauline-Jean Luyten is making strides in advocating for Pacific representation in law and leading grassroots community programmes in South Canterbury.

For her, being appointed as a Notary Public represents not only a personal achievement but also an important milestone for Pacific people in New Zealand’s legal system.

Based in Timaru, Luyten has over a decade of experience as a lawyer and director of a law firm. Her journey has been shaped by her work supporting a former colleague in notarising documents for clients with international connections.

“For me, it's really important that people see that this is an opportunity and something that they could look at doing as well,” she says. “You don't see many of us as Pasifika heading towards trying to own a law firm or running a firm itself and being a director for that length of time.

“So I guess for me, it's just if anyone's interested and wants to ask about it, just to know that that's possible.”

The role of a Notary Public originates in Roman times. It involves a lawyer authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in England to witness signatures, administer oaths, collect sworn statements, and certify legal documents for international use.

A call for more Pacific lawyers

Luyten believes that a greater Pacific presence is needed in law.

Currently, less than four per cent of all lawyers in New Zealand are Pacific individuals, averaging about one lawyer for every 600 Pasifika.

“We've had our families and everyone come over from the islands for opportunity and I think it's really important to keep persisting in whatever we're doing,” Luyten says.

Luyten being sworn in as a notary public. Photo/Sina Manoa Latu Facebook

Community leadership in South Canterbury

In addition to her legal work, Luyten chairs the Tonga South Canterbury Society, the region’s only ethnic-specific Pacific community group.

Established in 2016, the group offers culturally relevant programmes for Tongans, including language classes in schools, women’s support groups, and workshops on legal rights, especially for young athletes new to the area.

“It's important that we want to create a space where everyone could belong, be proud of who they were, and then also navigate living here in Aotearoa, New Zealand.”

Luyten with her twin sister and mum after being sworn in as a notary public. Photo/Sina Manoa Latu

But the organisation faces recent funding challenges.

“It's just a bit harder to get access to funding and so we fill a gap, but a lot of it stems from an involuntary service right throughout,” Luyten says.

“So it's just reassessing what we can have access to and being more innovative about how we apply for funding.”

Listen to Luyten's full interview here