PUBLISHED JULY 2025

It’s vital our young people inherit a planet where they can thrive

First Foundation’s model advances several of the goals directly and aligns with others. Importantly, our unique model strengthens partners’ SDG contributions beyond what they might achieve independently. 

Our commitment also extends beyond our core educational mission to encompass our own operational sustainability. 

Lifting education and reducing inequality is at the heart of our work

First Foundation’s programme powerfully advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). At the same time, our three-pillar plus approach contributes to several other SDGs: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). 

Our programme strengthens social fabric by promoting inclusion and equal opportunity. Our scholars often become the connection between their communities, universities and other areas of society. The success of scholars like Mahdi, who supports his refugee community while pursuing his law degree, is just one example.

First Foundation brings together educational institutions, corporate partners, and community organisations. These partnerships for the goals mean the business sector can increase its social impact with the expertise of community and education partners.

Our partnerships with organisations such as INFINZ, Simplicity Foundation and the Hi-Tech Awards connect their members to enable educational access while breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Individual partners also further their impact. For example, the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation partners with us to address underrepresentation in STEM careers and support environmental sustainability initiatives.

We are ready to lead by example

When it comes to the environment, First Foundation accepts responsibility of kaitaiakitanga; we must ensure the future we pass forward is worthy of the aspirations our young leaders have.

We recognise our responsibility to take concrete action now. Although we’re in the early days of our own sustainability journey, we are taking deliberate steps to set goals and improve our performance.

First Foundation has begun a process to assess its material impacts. This materiality assessment will help us understand which of our environmental, social, and governance impacts are most important for our sustainability journey. In the meantime, we recognise that travel is likely to be the largest contributor to our organisational emissions. We are judicious about our travel, using virtual and online options for the majority of our work. However, building relationships and connections is vital to our work, and in-person engagement plays an essential role in this. We have committed to off-setting our travel through Trees that Count with a 33.18 tonne carbon equivalent for 2024.

We’re also supporting scholars who bring fresh perspectives on sustainability to their workplaces. Jessica Vandermeer, 2019 Spark New Zealand scholar and Loshaunce Leaso, 2021 Mike Ross scholar show passion and talent in this space. They are playing a central role in guiding First Foundation’s sustainability strategy. As Jessica points out,

“Sustainability incorporates three key pillars, which are social, environmental, and economic. First Foundation is in a unique position where they have a very strong social sustainability impact directly through the work they do.“

By combining educational opportunity with environmental responsibility, we’re building pathways for young leaders who will shape a more sustainable New Zealand. Through this integrated approach, we’re actively contributing to multiple SDGs – from quality education and reduced inequalities to climate action and partnerships for sustainable development. Looking to the SDGs allows First Foundation and our partners to amplify our contribution to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.