PUBLISHED MARCH 2024
NZI partnership is part of a legacy
17 Scholars since 2008
NZI Insurance has a special history with First Foundation. The company became a Scholarship Partner partly to honour one of its own team members. Austin Hemmings died tragically when he stepped in to save a stranger from being attacked at knifepoint in 2008.
NZI scholars Roman Tamatoa, Taunese Leitufia, Salma Asiata and Damaris Penu are benefitting from their work experience at NZI over the summer break
NZI says First Foundation stood out as sharing the same values that Austin lived by, as it prepares New Zealand students worthy of support to go on to positively influence and benefit their communities.
“Our scholarship – the Austin Hemmings Memorial Scholarship – is in memory of Austin Hemmings, an NZI manager who tragically lost his own life when he stepped in without hesitation to protect a woman in need one night. He was an extraordinary leader who invested enormous time and teaching in his team.
“We’ve had some incredible students come through the programme over the last decade, and we take great pride in seeing each one go on to do great things.”
Junior Lafaele with Partnerships Manager, Amanda Gilchrist at First Foundation’s Awards in 2023
Junior Lafaele is one of the outstanding students that NZI has supported.
He said, “As part of the scholarship, I’ve been given a mentor, Phil Barclay, General Manager of Business Partners at NZI. His advice has helped me learn that there’s a time to act professionally and a time to have fun. It’s helped me prepare for meetings, and take some of the stress and nervousness away that I was previously feeling.
“I’ve learned a lot about how important time management is. Especially when there are a lot of tasks to get through. I’ve learned how to manage and utilise my time wisely.
“The biggest lesson that I’ve learned at NZI is that hard work, determination, and sacrifice are what will get you your degree and help you get ahead in your career. It’s important to have fun, but you have to put in the hard work as well.”
Junior is just one of more than a dozen young people that NZI has given a hand up – meet them here. The company explains, “We’re committed to helping New Zealand and New Zealanders grow and succeed.
“Our support of three First Foundation scholars from low-decile schools not only involves assistance with their tertiary fees over four years of education; we also provide part-time work and a variety of work experiences, the support of a mentor and a structured development programme.”
