Empowering tomorrow’s leaders
Every First Foundation scholar is inherently a leader – they are often the first in their family to attend university, the first among their peers to step into corporate environments, and frequently the pioneers showing what’s possible in their communities.
When scholars join First Foundation in Year 12, their leadership potential is dramatically accelerated. Through collaborative partnerships and pastoral care, the programme creates an environment where scholars can develop their voice, expand their horizons, and build the confidence to influence positive change.
Aspiring Leaders Forum and First Foundation
Each year, we partner with the Aspiring Leaders Forum. It offers a unique experience for young people, and this year, 11 of our scholars attended. The forum aims to help rangatahi explore integrity, humility, commitment, courage and aroha. This sets them up to be resilient leaders who will serve others with clear values and vision.
For our scholars, the forum is life-changing. The four-day event includes going to parliament, meeting MPs and past prime ministers, building networks and reflecting on their aspirations.
Tayshon Yates, Chung Cheng Trust scholar, is in her first year at Victoria University studying law. She says attending the event has shown her a different world.
“The Forum was an inspiring haerenga grounded in the tikanga of hononga, whanaungatanga and whānau. It brought together rangatahi and rangatira from across Aotearoa and beyond, from politics, business, hāpori, faith and ahurea.
“It was all with the idea of kotahitanga and a shared commitment to leadership as service.”
Learning to lead through challenges
In her young life, Tayshon has already shown the leadership skills of someone beyond her years. At James Cook High School, she was head girl. She gained national respect for her emotional speech in the finals of Ngā Manu Kōrero. She spoke about her tough early childhood, her experience of being raised by her whaea kēkē (aunty).
Alongside two other scholars, Tayshon drafted a Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents. They’re now advocating for parliament to legislate a support plan for children of prisoners. “You’re in a situation that you can’t get yourself out of. But it doesn’t define who you are. You’re not a label, you’re not a statistic, and you’re not invisible,” she explains.
The scholars are also calling for a whānau navigator role to work directly with families and children of prisoners to support their needs and help them navigate the court process.
Upskilling on influence
Tayshon’s experience at the Aspiring Leaders Forum has further strengthened her understanding of influencing change.
“From kōrero with MPs at Parliament, to the Awa Kumutoto Restoration Project, to moments of reflection and sharing at our poroporoaki; every experience carried its own lessons.
“I was reminded that innovation is not born from the dream, but from the struggle. True fulfilment comes from serving others.“
Tayshon Yates, 2023 Chung Cheng Trust Scholar
Listening to and understanding stories that are not your own only strengthens the meaning of your own hīkoi.
I carry forward the lesson that rangatiratanga/leadership is not about standing in front, but about walking alongside, ready to serve, to whakarongo, whaiā te māramatanga and to empower others.
“Ngā mihi maioha to everyone who made this kaupapa possible.
The ripple effect of this experience will stay with me and continue to shape how I lead in my whānau, hapū, iwi and wider community.”
Serving the future
Throughout history, youth have been at the forefront of social transformation. Their passion, energy, technological savvy and willingness to question the existing norms make them influential catalysts for positive change.
We’re building pathways for young leaders who will shape solutions for a more equitable and sustainable New Zealand. They contribute to a broader movement of youth-led change ready to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time.
Youth leadership drives social change
Our scholars consistently emerge as formal leaders in their schools and communities. They serve as head students, lead cultural groups, and drive initiatives that matter to their communities. Yet their influence extends far beyond traditional positions.
From Head Girl to future leader
As the eldest of six children, Tupouseini is a natural leader. Dux of her first school, she continued to show her ability throughout secondary school, and was awarded the top Year 11 academic award. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Otago.
Tupouseini Tuitupou,
2022 Simplicity Foundation Scholar
Inspiring Māori in the professional world
Trenyce is well-practised at showing others what’s possible and that’s not changing as she goes into law and commerce. She’s a mentor for women in law and women in business at her university, as well as being treasurer for the Māori Law Students Association.
Trenyce Gardiner,
2020 Chapman Tripp Scholar
Leading Pasifika health students
Ieti has shone as a Pasifika leader since school and as Deputy Head Boy. Now, he is President of Pacific Island Health Professional Students Association while studying medicine at Otago.
Ieti Ah Young, 2021 Volpara Health Scholar
Transcending stereotypes and statistics
As a daughter of migrants, and descendant of Pasifika, Sala is transcending stereotypes and statistics. She is a member of a Youth Advisory Group under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Development.
“I want to be a catalyst for that change and a voice for the voiceless.”
Sala Agalava, 2021 Auckland Foundation Fabulous Ladies Giving Circle Scholar
Helping others step into their careers
Since embarking on his commerce degree at the University of Auckland, Ethan has been involved in all sorts of societies and clubs. He is now the co-CEO Career Leaders, building confidence and opportunities for others.
Ethan Andrews, 2021 Auckland Transport Scholar
Empowering women in STEM
Wesley is driven to empower others to break barriers and achieve their goals, especially women in STEM. The proud Pasifika engineering student is on the executive of Women in Engineering at the University of Auckland and won the prestigious Kupe Leadership Scholarship in 2025.
Wesley Key, 2021 Spark New Zealand Scholar
Championing social justice
Rebecca Shirley is a recent law graduate from the University of Canterbury who has launched her career with her dream job as a solicitor. This year, she was a presenter at the Aspiring Leaders’ Forum where she spoke about her work to help those experiencing homelessness.
Rebecca Shirley, 2019 Briscoe Group Alumni
Accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship
Jason Tran, Head Prefect and Dux at One Tree College was CEO of Velocity, an entrepreneurship accelerator at the University of Auckland, all alongside his engineering degree. He is now a lead at tech firm SAP building Aotearoa’s tech ecosystem.
