Liam Stoneley has successfully completed five years of study at the University of Canterbury.
He started in the month of the tragic earthquakes in Christchurch and stuck it out to graduate with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree in February. Last year Liam also completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in te reo Māori and history. His whānau are very pleased for him and proud of his achievements. Kā nui tāu mahi. Tino pai rawa atu e tama.
Liam will be starting work in Auckland with a law firm in 2017 but in the meanwhile they have generously allowed Liam to take up a scholarship with Agria to study in China. This is a joint venture with Ngāi Tahu. He is in Shanghai for 12 months from February and is learning Mandarin at Fudan University.
Liam is already a fluent te reo Māori speaker, having attended Kōhanga Reo and learnt in total immersion during his primary schooling.
His parents want to thank all those people and organisations that have supported their boy over the years. There have been whānau, teachers, fellow students, other parents, friends, sports and academic mentors, ngā rūnanga, our local community. You have allowed our tama to walk many pathways with strength and confidence. We are eternally grateful to you all. Kia ora koutou katoa. Nā Mike Stoneley.
Liam (centre) with parents Mike and Pam Stoneley.