Siobhan Sharkey: Upholding family legacy in law with Pacific pride

It’s graduation season, and among the thousands of deserving graduates is Siobhan Sharkey, who is receiving a conjoint degree in Law and Arts, majoring in linguistics from the University of Auckland.

She tells PMN News her mother inspires her, and credits a conference for sparking her interest in law.

Siobhan aims to represent her family’s values in her legal career, focussing on service and community involvement.

"It still feels surreal," she says. "It's been a long five years to finally get here. But I feel very happy and relieved to have finally finished."

Siobhan joined a cohort of 25 law graduates of Pacific heritage. Her achievement also follows in the legal footsteps of her pioneering mother, Tania Sharkey, who is the first Tongan to become a District Court Judge in the family jurisdiction.

Despite this legacy, Siobhan says the law wasn’t on her radar until she visited the Pacific Lawyers Association conference in 2019.

At the conference, one of the panellists spoke about the joys of travelling and giving back to the community, both overseas and at home.

“I sat in on a panel on what you can do with your law degree,” Siobhan says. “I really liked what I heard about the different experiences and opportunities having a law degree can offer you.”

“That struck a chord with me. I love to travel and experience different things, and my mum always pushed or emphasised the importance of serving our community.”

Siobhan Sharkey (front row, second from right) graduated with a cohort 25 law graduates with Pacific heritage. Photo/Supplied

Tania says she is “incredibly proud. I have always told my children that I do not mind what career they choose so long as they find their passion, pursue their goals and give back through service.”

Before becoming a District Court Judge, Tania worked extensively in the Family Court, representing Māori and Pacific communities, and served as the lead Counsel Assist representing Pacific survivors in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

She hopes her daughter will continue to represent their family values. “My hope is that whichever pathway she chooses to walk in the law, she will use her skills and knowledge as well as her own lived and work experience to help those who are the least, the last, and the lost in our society.”

In 2023, 6.4 per cent of registered lawyers in New Zealand identified as having Pacific heritage, an increase from 4.3 per cent the previous year.

Siobhan Sharkey and other members of the Pacific Islands Law Student Association (PILSA). Photo/Supplied

Service and cultural connection

The Sharkey family hails from Houma in Tonga and Strabane in Northern Ireland.

Siobhan says that her Arts major is inspired by her time living in France.

She adds that visiting her Tongan family in Fanga during her childhood deepened her understanding and connection to her culture.

“It just kind of opened my eyes to the different types of people there are and the different types of experiences that people have... it definitely helped me grow up and mature.

“I’ll always be grateful for the experience of living there. The love and hard work of my family in Tonga continues to ground and motivate me to work hard, so that one day I will return the same love they have always shown me."

Looking ahead

Siobhan is currently interning at a criminal defence law firm and aims to achieve another key milestone later this year.

While she has a long-term interest in human rights law, she remains focused on learning the ropes in criminal defence.

“I’m enjoying everything that I’m learning there... I’m hoping to be admitted in September to the bar so that I can finally start practising.

“I’m interested in it ...I had done some shadowing for prosecution for the Crown... but being on the other side of things, I think that’s something that I want to try.”

Siobhan Sharkey is grateful to her family and friends who have supported her through her academic journey and beyond. Photo/Supplied

As she embarks on her legal career, Siobhan is grateful for the support from her family and friends throughout her journey.

“I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by so many loving and supportive people... whether it was a hug or a little pep talk, it all counted and all amounted to something.

“My mum is definitely a big support person for me. She, along with my dad, never failed to let me know how proud they are.

“There’s never really any pressure from them other than to just work hard and give everything our best shot, and be respectful.”