Meet Maikiira Barber!
Maikiira was born in Orange, and now lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales. She has spent most of her life there with her family. Maikiira is a proud Wiradjuri / Wailwan and Māori woman. She is very interested in justice-centric pursuits.
Maikiira says she has always really appreciated how much there is to learn in this life, and that it has made her eager to learn as much of everything as she can.
Maikiira is studying a double bachelor's degree of Criminology and Laws (Honours) at Newcastle University, and is completing her cadetship placement at the Central Coast Community Legal Centre.
We asked Maikiira some questions about her experience of the First Nations Cadetship Program and her plans for the future.
What do you hope to get out of your cadetship?
I hope to gain a grassroots perspective of access to justice, what it looks like in its rawest form. I expect this insight to be invaluable in how it will guide me throughout the rest of my studies and career. I hope this experience too, will help me in developing the appropriate skills to work with vulnerable people during their legal journeys and to be able to make someone’s contact with the justice system feel safer.
I also hope to gain a true sense of understanding of how the justice system works, with an Indigenous Lense. The areas of lapse, progression, and what my part might be in the future in improving outcomes for mob in the legal sphere.
Do you have a particular area of interest in law?
I have always been really interested in international law and improving the nexus (ratification processes) between international treaties / law and domestic laws, especially with a human rights or diplomacy focus. As for immediate interest and early career practice I really am not sure where I would like to end up! I’m very much an open book, and open to whatever area of law sparks my interest along the way.
How are you enjoying the Cadetship Program so far?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the cadetship program so far! For me, it has encompassed nothing but a safe work environment where I am fostered by those around me to learn invaluable skills and knowledge which compliment my studies tremendously. It is a great supplementary experience to my studies and has supported my connection to community. My facilitator, Bobbi Murray, has presented me with many opportunities such as court visits, corporate placements, legal conferences and educational trips. These opportunities have allowed me to gain so much experience and skills invaluable to me so early on in my studies which have helped me maximise my experience studying.
What have you enjoyed the most?
I have enjoyed the breadth this experience has offered. It really has offered me an all-encompassing experience from seeing how a local court operates to seeing how a top-tier corporate firm operates - preparing me for the nuances of varying legal spaces. So far, specifically, I absolutely loved attending the National Indigenous Legal Conference which was held in Melbourne in 2024. It was a surreal experience to connect with Indigenous legal students and professionals from all over the nation! It was seriously, an inspiring, motivational and supportive space in relation to being a new addition to the legal space!
What would you like to be doing in five years?
In five years, I hope to be doing something really rewarding as a lawyer or barrister, nationally or internationally. Whichever legal space, I just hope to have a job which makes me happy and inspires me and to be educated and well-versed in the legal profession.
Read Maikiira's article about the NSW Coroners Court here.