First Foundation

First Foundation Strengthening the pathways, opportunities and choices that empower young people.

"That's my goal for my future – to make everyone I love very, very proud." Arohaina Pahi had been checking her emails ev...
08/10/2026

"That's my goal for my future – to make everyone I love very, very proud."

Arohaina Pahi had been checking her emails every day for weeks. When the news finally arrived that she'd been awarded a L'Oréal New Zealand scholarship through First Foundation, she screamed for two minutes. Then her whānau took her out for dinner to celebrate.

Arohaina (Ngāpuhi, Tūhoe) is the second eldest of 11 siblings and will be the first female in her whānau to go to university. Next year she starts a Bachelor of Business at the University of Auckland. Her scholarship covers three years of fees, a mentor and a paid summer internship with L'Oréal.

She's in great company. L'Oréal NZ country lead Daina Wilson was one of the first in her own family to go to uni. She started on L'Oréal's management trainee programme 16 years ago and now runs the New Zealand business.

Thanks to Woman's Day for sharing Arohaina's story, and to L'Oréal New Zealand, our partner since 2024. 💛

Keep and eye out for a copy of this weeks Women's Day or click the link here to have a read: https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/arohaina-pahi-loreal-scholarship/

Last week, 10 of our scholars spent the afternoon with Huntress Recruitment at the University of Auckland for a Career &...
06/10/2026

Last week, 10 of our scholars spent the afternoon with Huntress Recruitment at the University of Auckland for a Career & Workplace Readiness Workshop 💼

The Huntress team started with a real career story, from temp work into a permanent role. Then it was hands-on, with help on CVs and LinkedIn, a chat about what employers actually look for, and a speed interview round where scholars practiced introducing themselves and found out how they come across.

The big takeaway? Early work experience counts, even when it has nothing to do with your degree.

"An awesome workshop to be a part of. Very grateful… Looking forward to connecting more," one scholar told us.

Thank you to Sukhy, Jessica, Shane and Debbie from Recruitment, and to Lee with the of Auckland for hosting us on campus.

30/09/2026

Paige Burston is the first First Foundation Scholar for 2027, and we got to be there when she found out.

Pāmu Landcorp Farming Limited picked Paige as their scholar. She's a student at Waitara High School in Taranaki, and she'll be the first in her whānau to go to university. Next year she starts a Bachelor of Agricultural Studies at Massey University in Palmerston North. If she's not in class, coaching junior footy or at work, she's usually helping her poppa on the family farm.

Ngā mihi nui to for backing Paige. We can't wait to see where this takes her. 💚

Huge thanks to the team at Fisher Funds, who are running the Taupō Ultramarathon on 17 October to raise money for First ...
29/09/2026

Huge thanks to the team at Fisher Funds, who are running the Taupō Ultramarathon on 17 October to raise money for First Foundation!

Between 13 of them they'll cover 450km: 14 relay legs of 25km and two full 50km ultramarathons. Everything they raise goes towards supporting our scholars through Year 13 and university.

Each runner has written about why they signed up, and you can read their stories on the team page.

They've raised $2,641 so far towards their $10,000 goal, so if you can chip in or just want to send some encouragement, here's where to find them: https://givealittle.co.nz/event/fisher-funds-taupo-ultra-2026

Kia kaha, team. We're right behind you.

Kōrero Connect ran across four nights in September, in Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Ōtautahi and Ōtepoti.Dr Gen...
24/09/2026

Kōrero Connect ran across four nights in September, in Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Ōtautahi and Ōtepoti.

Dr Genevieve O'Reilly facilitated "The Stories We Tell Ourselves: how values determine our True North".

The evening covered where our stories come from, including caregivers, culture and community. The self-belief cycle, where experience shapes belief and belief shapes behaviour, so the loop keeps proving itself right. Values as a way of navigating when the right choice isn't obvious. The difference between a value you chose and one you were taught. And rewriting the inner story, because things said to us when we were young are interpretations rather than truths.

These nights are about strengthening the mentor and scholar relationship, and that starts with each person understanding themselves.

Thank you to Genevieve, and to everyone who came along.

We were finalists in two categories at the 2degrees Auckland Central Business Awards, People's Choice and Excellence in ...
22/09/2026

We were finalists in two categories at the 2degrees Auckland Central Business Awards, People's Choice and Excellence in Strategy. We didn’t take home either of them..

But we left feeling like the luckiest table in the room!

Around that table were two young Pasifika scholars, 2degrees Scholar Alana and Cameron Partners Scholar Saulala, both the first in their whānau to reach university.

Alumni Noah, Joshua, and michelle now on the First Foundation board, opening doors for the next generation. Mentors like prajesh who keep showing up. And our team, Kayla, Reece and Silvana, showing up every day for our rangatahi and each other.

And to everyone who voted for First Foundation for People’s Choice, thank you. Your support meant a lot.

We cheered on Renee Stuart, a First Foundation alumna, who took the stage and won Excellence in International Business for MOXX Brands, two years after winning Emerging Business at these same awards!

It was a glimpse of the ripple in motion.

A scholar becomes a graduate.
A graduate becomes a founder.
And one day, they become the person opening the door for someone else.

More than 1,200 rangatahi have come through First Foundation over 28 years, and tonight was a table full of proof that the ripple keeps moving.

Congratulations to every winner. And Renee, we couldn’t have been prouder to cheer you on. ❤️

Ngā mihi nui.

Auckland Foundation is the community foundation for Tāmaki Makaurau, connecting philanthropists with local causes that m...
17/09/2026

Auckland Foundation is the community foundation for Tāmaki Makaurau, connecting philanthropists with local causes that match their values.

Since 2011 they've linked eight philanthropists, families and trusts with 53 First Foundation scholars across the city. We were with them recently at Cordis for their community dinner on the theme of The Ripple Effect, exploring how one act of generosity keeps moving through a community for generations.

Auckland Foundation helps generosity find the right pathway. We help talented rangatahi make the most of that opportunity. With a memorandum of understanding now signed and a goal of 2000 scholars by 2030, both organisations are in this for the long haul.

Read more about the impact already unlocked: https://firstfoundation.org.nz/a-partnership-built-on-potential-first-foundation-and-auckland-foundation-formalise-over-a-decade-of-impact/

September is Gifts in Wills Month.A Will is where you set out who receives what, who looks after your tamariki, and how ...
15/09/2026

September is Gifts in Wills Month.

A Will is where you set out who receives what, who looks after your tamariki, and how you'd like to be farewelled. It's your voice after you're gone.

A First Foundation scholarship costs $7,000 a year, $28,000 across four years. A gift in your Will can fund one long after you're gone, and it doesn't need to be large to matter. You keep everything you have now, and your whānau still comes first.

Haven't made a Will yet? EveryWill and Footprint both let you write one online, free, in about 10 minutes.

Leave a gift behind that becomes somebody's beginning. Will you?

https://firstfoundation.org.nz/ways-to-give/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/

08/09/2026

One question, three answers 🎥

At the community dinner, Belle asked Pravir Tesiram (founding partner, TGT Legal), Melody Mobsby (Chief Executive, Auckland Foundation) and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown why they think what First Foundation does is important.

Belle's a journalism student in Ōtautahi Christchurch and a First Foundation scholar supported by SJ Charitable Trust. She's also the answer to her own question.

Wherever we can, there's a scholar in the room. 🤍

📍 Auckland Foundation Community Dinner

Three days left to vote. That's it.We're finalists for People's Choice at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, and for...
07/09/2026

Three days left to vote. That's it.

We're finalists for People's Choice at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, and for 28 years we've backed rangatahi with big potential and not much in the way of resources. Most become the first in their whānau to reach university.

If you voted last round, ngā mihi, you're welcome to do it again 😁

If you haven't.. here's your chance!

Every vote puts these young people in front of more people who'll back them. 💙

Vote here: https://2daba.awardsplatform.com/entry/vote/WQgKdMav

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