For the past eight years, Buddle Findlay has been proud to host young leaders from the Halberg Youth Council in our workplaces as part of the Buddle Findlay and Halberg Career Experience programme.  This creates the opportunity for participants to learn about pathways available in a law firm while developing practical skills and confidence in a professional setting.

The Halberg Youth Council’s youngest ever member, Sionnan (“Shaz”) Murphy’s proudest moments are when she has made a difference for others, which guides everything she does.  During her time at our Auckland offices in late September, we sat down to talk about her experiences growing up, her athletics career and where she sees herself making a difference in the future.

Q: Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself what you’re studying and what interests you most at the moment?

I’ve previously done a certificate in education to become an education support worker, and I’m currently a teacher aide at a primary school.  Growing up with right-side hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy, I didn’t feel like the teacher aides understood me.  I understand what it’s like being different, but I also understand what the teacher wants from the child, so I can be the liaison between the two.  That’s what brought me into this role.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your long-term career goals or areas you’d like to explore?

I’m training the house down in shotput and discus at the moment, but when I have more time, I’d like to explore finance.  My mum was a debt collector and I used to hear a lot about her work when she was working from home.  During my time at Buddle Findlay, I’ve learned a lot about liquidations and finance, and that’s opened my eyes to something I didn’t think I was smart enough to do.

Q: Outside of study and work, what do you enjoy doing, and what helps keep you balanced?

I’ve been a New Zealand representative three times in shotput and discus, and was a bronze medallist in discus at the Oceania World Champs.  My goal is to go to the Para World Champs 2027 in Uzbekistan, and ultimately the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

Q: Are there particular skills you’d like to develop further, or areas where you’d welcome more experience?

I’m keen to develop my understanding of how people can respectfully navigate differing opinions and work effectively together.  That would definitely be finance.

Q: What drew you to the Halberg Youth Council and why is being part of it important to you?

The Halberg Foundation funded my competitive swimming when I was younger, and I was the first kid with cerebral palsy in New Zealand to get an adaptive bike for triathlon.  Without Halberg, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.  They asked me to be on the Youth Council when I was 16, which made me the youngest person ever to be on the Council. I’m just 21 now.

Q: What do you hope to contribute through your role on the Council?

I want to normalise different ways of doing things in sports, so people with disabilities are just included.  For example, my netball team recognised I’m better at bounce passes than high passes, so we adapted the way we played.  Ultimately, the people on the other teams didn’t realise I had a disability.

I pushed for a para section to be included in the Colgate Games [the biggest athletics event for children aged 7-14], and now it’s normal and para-athletes are doing really well.  I’m so proud of that.

Q: Thinking about opportunities like this placement, what were you most looking forward to and what do you think has been the most challenging?

I had no idea about the law before working here.  I just wanted to find another interest outside sport and hear more about the career pathways across the business.  I thought I wasn’t smart enough for this, because I’ve always done hands-on things.  But it was my last year on the Council, so I thought I’d give it a go.

Q: Have you learned anything about the law or the different types of career paths available in a law firm you didn’t know before?

This internship’s definitely been a game-changer for me, learning about liquidations.  I thought it was all about numbers, but it’s not. It’s so rewarding, working with children to get the best possible outcome for them, and this is about the same thing.