Clockwise, from top left – Muna Panyasong joined YouthLaw as a volunteer in 2023 and found the experience to be the best part of her exchange year in New Zealand. She is passionate about working for the community, having volunteered for children’s charities in Thailand and the UK. Muna is grateful to YouthLaw for giving her the opportunity to use her legal knowledge to help young people, and to learn more about New Zealand law outside of the classroom. When she is not studying or working, Muna loves cooking, watching sports, reading, or doing photography. Every Friday evening, you will find Muna at a restaurant trying out new food for her food review page on Instagram!
Cole Peters became a Law Clerk in 2022 after starting with YouthLaw as a volunteer. During his time as a volunteer, he developed a real passion for YouthLaw’s mahi. Cole first gained an interest in working with youth when he worked in primary schools at an after-school care programme. He feels honoured to be able to keep making a positive difference in the lives of youth through his role at YouthLaw. In his spare time, Cole enjoys coaching at his local judo club, binging Marvel movies, and gaming with his mates.
Hyunjee Na joined YouthLaw as a volunteer in early 2022 while she was studying and became a Law Clerk in 2024 after graduating from the University of Auckland. She enjoys her time at YouthLaw because she’s able to help young people and children know their legal rights. She is passionate about youth justice and feels proud to be part of the YouthLaw team supporting young people. Outside of work, she invests a lot of time in her church, especially in the youth group. Her interests also include drinking milk tea and watching Korean TV shows.
Sophia Malthus started volunteering at YouthLaw in 2023, alongside studying law at AUT University. She is passionate about Aotearoa’s youth and is the proud mentor of a young girl through Upside Youth Mentoring. Sophia is also well engaged in the disabled community after sustaining an injury at 19, which means she now enjoys life from a wheelchair. Her disability has led to Sophia being an ambassador for the CatWalk Trust and a director of Auckland’s Laura Ferguson Trust. Sophia refuses to watch movies like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, and thinks that Married at First Sight is a much better use of her free time.