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

Auckland University of Technology

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

SEF Work Exposure

• 2025 Jackson Russell

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

Mentor:  Dr Francis Katoa
Buddy: Zeena Haba 

Sponsored by: Tim Chia and Margaret Kwan       

Charlotte is passionate about helping and serving those around her with sincerity and respect. She is studying a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Auckland with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine. She is 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

Auckland University of Technology/University of Auckland
Degree: Bachelor of  Health Sciences - Perioperative Practice
Mentor:  Karen Bishop
Buddy:  Malia Rached

Sponsored by: Anna  Macindoe 

Daesha is an ambitious young woman studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice at AUT. She is passionate about pursuing a career as an anaesthetic technician, where she hopes to use her skills and compassion to support patients and ensure their safety and care throughout surgical procedures.   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 is 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.

She works within the SEF programme acting as a Buddy for Losaline Alatini.

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship

SEF Work Exposure

• 2025 Pohutakawa Chambers

LinkedIn

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 is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Auckland, driven by her passion for caring for others and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Her desire to become a nurse is shaped by the values of compassion, love, and service instilled in her by her parents. She is fascinated by the human body and the way healthcare can support healing and improve the wellbeing of others, which continues to inspire her chosen career path.

During her time at school, Sela demonstrated leadership and a commitment to supporting others through her involvement in the Academic Service Group, Tuakana-teina programme (where she mentored and supported a Year 9 student), and as a class captain.

Outside of her studies, Sela enjoys playing the violin, golf, and exploring her passion for fashion and clothing. She values maintaining a healthy balance between her academic commitments and personal interests, reflecting her ability to manage challenges while staying true to herself.

Sela is a determined young woman with a strong desire to give back to her community and honour those who have supported and sacrificed for her journey. She hopes to inspire future generations of Pacific youth to pursue their dreams, serve others, and create a positive impact in the world.

Award

• University of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship