Congratulations to Chloe Graham-Stewart from Ministry of Justice who has received the 2024 Ria McBride Award to pursue a law degree.
Chloe Graham-Stewart, Judge's Personal Assistant at Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice, has been named as this year’s Ria McBride Public Service Award recipient.
The award will see Chloe receive funding of up to $15,000 to support her study towards a Bachelor of Laws, a qualification that will give her the opportunity to progress professionally and make a leadership contribution within the Public Service.
Chloe has worked within the Ministry of Justice in Te Tai Tokerau Northland region for the past 12 years. She is committed to improving the justice system, particularly the experiences for women and children.
Her own experiences of this system have given her unique insights that have strengthened her resolve to gain a law degree and make a difference.
Protection of our most vulnerable families and individuals is of the utmost importance to me and it is humbling to imagine the day when my advocacy at a senior leadership level results in improved outcomes for our people.
Here, Chloe shares her kaikōhau and mihi and explains how winning the Ria McBride Award and pursuing a law degree will make a difference to her Public Service career.
Nau mai ngā hua
Nau mai ngā pai
Nau mai kia nui
Kia hāwere ai!
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko te mihi tuatahi ki te atua, tuarua ki te hungamate, haere, haere, haere atu rā. Ka mihi ana ahau kia tatou katoa. Tihei mauri ora!
Ko Whakarārā te maunga
Ko Matauri te moana
Ko Tapui te marae
Ko Ngāti Kura te hapū
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Chloe Graham-Stewart tōku ingoa.
“I am privileged to be this year’s recipient of the Ria McBride Award in support of my pursuit of the Bachelor of Laws. My life experiences add nuance and broad perspective to my career priorities within the Ministry of Justice and I look forward to the day when I am in a position that enables me to have strategic impact in the delivery of public sector services.
“Protection of our most vulnerable families and individuals is of the utmost importance to me and it is humbling to imagine the day when my advocacy at a senior leadership level results in improved outcomes for our people.”
The aim of the Ria McBride Award is to help women currently working in the Public Service to progress their career aspirations through tertiary academic study. The spirit of the award is to support women who demonstrate personal fortitude and leadership potential, and who generally haven’t had the opportunity or means to pursue or complete tertiary study.
The award honours the extraordinary legacy of Ria McBride, the first woman appointed Chief Clerk of the Public Service Commission, overcoming prejudice and obstacles as a woman in a then male domain. She pursued equal employment opportunities for women throughout her Public Service career and into her retirement.
For more information about the Ria McBride Public Service Award, visit LDC.govt.nz.
