HEAD GIRL, 2009
An outstanding all-rounder and role model, what comes across
most poignantly about Julia-May is her desire to succeed. She puts
100% into everything she does in the hope to better her and her
family's future. Julia-May shows incredible potential as an
influential spokeswoman for New Zealanders and in particular for
Maori.
In choosing Julia-May for a First Foundation Scholarship,
Telecom Manager Gemma Hardaker commented that Julia-May stood out
in the interviewing process. 'She talked about being able to give
the treasures of knowledge and have a voice to speak to other
people in the world to make a difference...I sensed a real
resilience in this young woman and found it hard to believe she was
only 16 when she was talking about changing the cycle of
uneducated, unemployed lives within her family.'
Julia-May graduated from The University of Auckland on 2014
with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Maori Studies and
is employed at the Mahi Tahi Trust as a Youth and Support
Team Leader. This is evidence of her main
motivation of being able to assist people from all walks of
life and be their voice.