Finn Lowery is one of three outstanding young New Zealanders who have been awarded a prestigious Rhodes scholarship to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. In his chosen path he will be joining several generations of Politics and International Relations students from the University of Auckland.
Finn attended Auckland’s Rangitoto College and is currently studying towards his Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland. At Oxford he will study for his Masters of Public Policy in criminal justice and state security and their connection with social justice, which is his key area of interest. In doing this he will follow in the footsteps of 2012 Rhodes Scholar Max Harris. Max graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and History and a Bachelor of Laws, and recently completed his Masters of Public Policy at Oxford. As part of his studies Max interned with the UNDP Executive Office, the office attached to that of another Political Studies graduate – Helen Clark.
The Master of Public Policy is offered by the Blavatnik School of Government. Founded in 2012, this is a relatively new and prestigious school in Oxford, the Dean of which is Professor Ngaire Woods, yet another BA/LLB graduate and Rhodes Scholar from the University of Auckland and, like Finn, a former student of Auckland’s Rangitoto College.
This year’s two other Rhodes Scholars from New Zealand are Hadleigh Frost, who is studying towards his BSc (Hons) at the University of Canterbury, and Jessica Glennie from Auckland’s Macleans College, who is studying for her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Texas on a rowing scholarship.
In announcing the awards, the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae said, “This is a life-changing opportunity for these exceptional young people, who have been selected for their academic excellence, character and leadership.
"Rhodes’ vision was to develop well-rounded young people, with the commitment to make a positive difference in the world and the courage and skills to lead, and over time, promote the cause of international peace and understanding. One hundred years later these values still hold true.”
Around 83 Rhodes scholarships are awarded globally each year.
