All The Makings Of A Rhodes Scholar

Nina Hall, one of three Rhodes Scholars for 2009

A former pupil of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School headed to Oxford University in October of this year thanks to the help of a Rhodes Scholarship.

Nina Hall, one of three Rhodes Scholars for 2009, is undertaking a doctoral degree with a focus on the processing of illegal immigrants from Africa.

A political studies graduate from The University of Auckland, 24 year-old Nina is being hailed as one of the most talented scholars the department has produced. With a first-rate academic record, a string of scholarships and prizes to her name, an impressive list of extra-curricular and sporting achievements, she was a prime candidate for the prestigious scholarship. She is also modest to boot, saying that she pinched herself in surprise when her name was read out.

From a young age Nina's learning was actively encouraged by her parents. “They always challenged me to think outside the square and to question my assumptions”. At Clyde Quay primary school she says she had some “fantastic teachers” who prompted her to “undertake independent research on all manner of topics”. At Samuel Marsden Collegiate School her personal and academic integrity saw her being elected Head of the Upper School by her peers in her final year.

Academia does run in the family, Nina says. Cousin Sally Tremewan is one of the first female professors in Chemistry at Otago University. Her aunt Phillippa Mein-Smith is an associate professor of history at Canterbury University, while Uncle Chris Tremewan is Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic at Auckland University and Uncle Peter Tremewan was a professor of French at Canterbury University.

When she was 17 Nina decided to live for a year with an Italian family in rural Sicily. It was this high-school exchange that laid the foundation for her path to Oxford.

“I was shocked and disturbed by the frequency that African illegal immigrants literally washed up on Sicily's southern coast, just one hour from our house,” she says.

Since winning the Rhodes Scholarship Nina has been an intern at UNICEF in Nepal as part of their social policy team. She describes it as an “incredible” time working to advocate for children's rights into a new constitution.

Nina hopes to continue her involvement in social justice and environmental groups at Oxford and, being a keen sportswoman, is also considering trying out for the rowing team. “It's such a traditional Oxford sport,” she says, “I've always wanted to give it a go!”.

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