PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2024

The power of a path to success

In 2012, she was awarded a First Foundation Scholarship with support from Chorus NZ. She earned an LLB/BA and has become an inspiration and role model to those who have encountered her along the way.

Plea to put more people on their own pathway

Julie grew up in state housing in a sole-parent, benefit-dependent family. She says the First Foundation programme has given her a clear, achievable pathway to success. “We just need to see it grow bigger and bigger.” For her, growing support so others can benefit is paramount.

“I cannot think of a more meaningful impact, a more profound way of effecting change, a more valuable contribution to Aotearoa than supporting our mokopuna to break cycles and create ripple effects of intergenerational healing.”

Julie says there was no guarantee that she would have an education, especially a tertiary education. She was the first in her family to graduate from university and even high school.

Opportunities were out of sight

“We didn’t have any professional workers in our family. It was hard to have high aspirations as a young person when facing so many barriers.

I know first-hand how unattainable a tertiary education can be for some young people. I also know many of our rangatahi are hardworking, deserving, and worthy, yet they do not have access to opportunities, such as those through the First Foundation.”

First Foundation allows young people to make choices when they think about their futures, something otherwise very limited.

Julie explains, ‘Society has kids from my background believing we aren’t worthy or deserving of good lives. The key thing I received from the scholarship was the affirmation that I was a worthy young person who deserved success and good things.'”

Seeing others believe in her helped bolster Julie’s own strength — even in some of her darkest days.

Self-belief and strength came with the right support

In 2016, she was 19 and had just begun the third year of her degree. The mentoring, pastoral care and financial support of the scholarship had helped her get through the tough transition from school to university. Then one day, she came home to find that her dad had passed away.

“The shock was crushing. And when I thought things could not possibly get any worse, Housing NZ issued me and my little sister a 21-day eviction notice.”

“First Foundation wrapped around me. My mentor, Sam, and my scholarship partner, Chorus NZ, were there for me.

“I am so grateful to know that I am one of now over a thousand First Foundation Scholars who have had our lives changed by this programme.”

Intergenerational healing is within reach – with your help

Julie went on to earn her LLB/BA in Social Policy and Political Science Double Major. She kept momentum, being admitted to the bar and launching her career in a law firm. Now, she has found her place at Mana Mokopuna | Children and Young People’s Commission.

“I’m so passionate about ensuring our young people have high aspirations. I see myself continuing to serve my community and my people. I want to ensure our mokopuna are equipped and empowered to pursue their full potential.

 “The strength of the First Foundation Scholarship Programme is so evident in our scholars and the lives we’ve been able to lead, the changes we’ve created for ourselves, our whānau, and our communities.”