University of Auckland
Degree:  Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts  
Mentor:  Mane Allen (McAuley alumni)
Buddy:  Josephine Swanney (McAuley alumni)

Anna Nessy will pursue a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at the University of Auckland.  Her reason for wanting to study in this field stems from witnessing injustices impacting Polynesian communities.  Through law, she aims to inspire positive change, rooted in her core values of patience, integrity, and resilience.

A leader during her time at McAuley High School, Anna participated in the Tullamore Service Group and Malosi Project, gaining skills in debating and legislation.  She enjoys golf, netball, and spending time with family, reading, and listening to music, specifically Lana Del Rey's songs.

Anna is committed to giving back and inspiring the next generation of Pasifika leaders.  Anna is looking forward to starting a new chapter entering adulthood.  She is extremely grateful and blessed for the opportunity that she has been given by both McAuley High School and now the Staples Education Foundation (SEF).

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship

University of Auckland
Degree: Certificate in Health Science - Bachelor of  Health Sciences

Mentor:  Dr Francis Katoa
Buddy: Zeena Haba 

Sponsored by: Tim and Margaret Chia        

Charlotte is passionate about helping and serving those around her with sincerity and respect. She will be studying a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Auckland with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, hoping to leave a meaningful yet lasting impact on all those she encounters. As a young Pasifika student with high ambitions, she wants to inspire others in her community to recognise their untapped potential and hopes to see more Pasifika representation in STEM. 

She is a flexible learner who also showed commitment to her leadership roles and responsibilities. Charlotte served as Deputy Head Girl and was also a representative of the student council, a peer mediator, and class liturgy leader. She has excelled academically by achieving excellence endorsements in level 1 and 2, being well under way with an excellence endorsement for level 3. 

She is a hard-working young woman who not only values her education, but also values staying grounded in her Samoan roots and embracing her heritage. Charlotte finds strength in knowing who she is as a Teine Samoa and aims to embody the grace and pride of the village that motivates her. Keeping in mind all the people who have made sacrifices and supported her, she would like to give back and offer the same support for many others in the future. 

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship

University of Auckland
Degree: Certificate in Health Science - Bachelor of  Health Sciences
Mentor:  Karen Bishop
Buddy:  Malia Rached

Daesha is an ambitious young woman pursuing a Bachelor in Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, with the aim of gaining admission into the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.   Her ultimate goal is to become a fully qualified General Practitioner. Driven by a passion for helping others, she seeks to give back to her community and inspire positive change, particularly among her Pasifika people.

At school, Daesha was the Hauora Prefect, leading the Hauora portfolio, and has previously served on the student council, as an academic service group member, and as a peer mediator. Outside of school, she enjoys weightlifting to relieve stress and refuel, while also finding peace in being by the water, walking on the beach, and watching sunsets.  Her Samoan cultural values of service and respect guide her, and she aspires to make a significant impact on the Pasifika community through her future work as a doctor, and inspiring Brown excellence.

University of Auckland
Degree:  Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts  
Mentor:  Yvonne Gray (McAuley alumni)
Buddy:  Emily Beniamin (McAuley alumni)

Sponsored by: Pip Lawrence

Leaony will be studying a conjoint degree of a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Criminology and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland. Having grown up in the diverse streets of South Auckland, Leaony has witnessed the prejudiced system her Pacific community faces and is determined to break the generational cycles of violence and crime through her future profession as a criminal lawyer. She is extremely passionate about helping others, determined to ensure her wider community receive the adequate legal assistance they deserve whilst working hard to destigmatize the stereotypical framework of brown minority groups in New Zealand.

Leaony served as the Head Prefect of McAuley High School for 2024 and was an active member of multiple committees both in and out of the classroom where she was able to further develop transferable leadership, communication, time management and organisation skills essential for her future career.

Beyond her exceptional academic achievements, Leaony has represented New Zealand and Auckland through her passion of Rugby League and captained her school Rugby League team in 2024 who placed third nationally. She is grounded in her faith and is a very proud representative of her Samoan heritage whose love for her culture can be seen through her involvement within her Samoan Church community and service to her Samoan Polyfest group.

Leaony’s core values of family, respect, courage, humility and faithfulness are what drive her to achieve greatness and attain success, so that she can be a living testament of brown excellence for her community to know and truly understand that they are more than capable of accomplishing their own dreams and ambitions.

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship

University of Auckland
Degree:  Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts  
Mentor:  Jacqui Klaassen (McAuley alumni)
Buddy:  Sandi Yaku (McAuley alumni)

Sponsored by: Lynne Yates Scholarship

Sela will be pursuing a degree in nursing at the University of Auckland. My passion for nursing is influenced by the values of compassion, love and care that are embedded within me by my parents. My love for the human body and the curiosity for how it works and the different ways to cater and heal it also plays a big role in the current path I travel. At school, I have taken on the roles of being a part of the academic service group, Tuakana-teina (a buddy/older sister to a year 9) and class captain.

Beyond school life, I like to play violin, golf and love anything that includes fashion and clothing. This signifies one of my core strengths, which is being able to maintain a healthy relationship between personal life and school life.

Overall, I do what I do out of ambition and hope for the betterment of my community, myself, and all those who have sacrificed things to bless me with bigger and better opportunities. Alongside, inspiring the younger pacific generation to also give back to society. Making the world a better place is what I thrive for.

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship