Community service is at the core of Melissa Lama's work and student life. After becoming a teenage mother, Melissa Lama has just completed a BA in politics and has begun an MBA. She fits in her University of Otago studies with her day job as community advocate in Dunedin.
The 27 year old Tongan Muslim is also active in the students' association and she is part of the Muslim Community Reference Group which advised the Royal Commission of Inquiry into last year's Christchurch Mosque's attacks.
Melissa Lama's achievements are featured in a new RNZ series, made with support from NZ on Air - The Outliers, which looks at inspiration young people from minority communities that are standing out from their peers.
Photo: Fire Fire / The Outliers
