NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather forecasts

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
    • The Great NZ Road Trip
  • On the up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • One Roof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

Sign InSubscribe
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand
Updated

On The Up: Northland teen Awatea Poutai awarded First Foundation scholarship

Karina Cooper
By Karina Cooper
News Director·Northern Advocate·
6 Apr, 2025 05:00 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Wayne Poutai surprised his son Awatea, 17, with a haka to acknowledge the teen as he was awarded a scholarship. Video \ Supplied

Northland teenager Awatea Poutai has made history for his whānau by becoming the first in his family to attend university. The story of his can-do attitude and determination helps kick off On The Up - NZME’s editorial campaign that showcases uplifting stories of New Zealand success, inspiration and possibilities.

Tikipunga High School head boy Awatea Poutai still cannot believe he was awarded a First Foundation Scholarship and is now headed to Otago University to study Product Design.

“It feels like I don’t deserve it sometimes,” Poutai said.

“I was just so used to not getting stuff because we were kind of a poor family growing up so we didn’t get a lot.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Tikipunga High School head boy Awatea Poutai is the first in his family to go to university. Photo / Karina Cooper
Tikipunga High School head boy Awatea Poutai is the first in his family to go to university. Photo / Karina Cooper

Poutai, 17, said he was so used to going without that when he was given something it was out of the ordinary and often came as a shock.

He was even stunned to be picked as head boy this year despite many people telling the teen he would be.

Poutai said his family - none of whom had gone to university - were extremely proud when they learned of his scholarship.

“My parents said most of our family had dropped out of school to do other things, and I just pursued on I guess.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Northland teen Awatea Poutai cannot stop smiling after he was granted a First Foundation Scholarship. Photo / Karina Cooper
Northland teen Awatea Poutai cannot stop smiling after he was granted a First Foundation Scholarship. Photo / Karina Cooper

Poutai was almost the eldest of seven children - pipped in age by two half-sisters.

His little sisters looked up to him and were now thinking about their futures, he said.

Poutai’s scholarship acknowledged the teen’s academic success at high school. His mum’s love of learning was passed down to him, he said.

“My dad is a hard worker. He has a great work ethic.”

So combine the two and Poutai said that’s him.

He added in his own belief to always do what he can and make it the best he can do.

“That’s what has got me through ... because I try my hardest,” he said.

Poutai’s unwavering dedication to school was rocked when his dad Wayne suffered a major seizure two years ago and was in a coma for months.

“I didn’t go to school the entire time he was in hospital because I was afraid something might happen while I was there,” he said.

Despite the fear Poutai, 15 at the time, remained steadfast.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“I try to think about the positives of the situation and the future,” he said.

“It may be terrible now but maybe later it will be better.”

Poutai plans to carry his resilience through with him on his pursuit of a life-long creative career.

“I love art,” he said.

His future leans more toward design than traditional painting but Poutai loves all of it.

“I just love making things with my own hands.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Poutai attended an awards ceremony on March 18 to officially receive his certificate for the scholarship, which provides financial support towards university costs over three years.

He was full of nerves, as he had not fronted a crowd as big as the one attending the awards.

“I’d never been to anything like that ... it was like the Oscars,” Poutai said.

One of the big moments of the night was when his dad Wayne Poutai stood up in the crowd and surprised his son with a haka.

“It was amazing.”

Before the scholarship, Poutai said he had been supported by Tikipunga High School and I Have a Dream - a charity focused on inspiring dreams and enabling futures for children and youth.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Tikipunga High School principal Emma Leyland said they were immensely proud of Poutai’s journey and growth over the past seven years.

“His dedication, integrity and leadership have made a lasting impact on our school community.

“His success is not only a reflection of his hard work, but also a testament to the whānau, kaiako and community who have supported him every step of the way. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”

Poutai said I Have A Dream provided opportunities like the First Foundation Scholarship for him to pursue.

The trust, which works in partnership with schools, matches students with dedicated mentors who help them overcome challenges and transition from school to university.

Programme participants, known as dreamers, are supported and mentored by navigators who help them access education and employment opportunities.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Awatea Poutai [right] pictured with his parents Joan and Wayne, gifts a painting he created to his mentor Dave Cotty [second from right].
Awatea Poutai [right] pictured with his parents Joan and Wayne, gifts a painting he created to his mentor Dave Cotty [second from right].

Poutai was assigned a community-based mentor, Dave Cotty from Mangawhai, who took him under his wing.

Cotty, who is retired, has taken Poutai on numerous excursions, including to musicals, art galleries, museums, and sports events.

Now Poutai works with navigator Lucia Kotze.

“She’s just like a friend,” he said.

Awatea Poutai and his I Have A Dream navigator Lucia Kotze. Photo / Karina Cooper
Awatea Poutai and his I Have A Dream navigator Lucia Kotze. Photo / Karina Cooper

Poutai said support systems like I Have A Dream and schools were crucial to help young people focus on their futures.

He believed teens were so busy worrying about now, that they were too time poor to think years down the line.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“I think that’s why they drop out because they are thinking school will get me nowhere and I need a job that will help now.”

But for Poutai?

He was looking forward to an “exciting” new year in 2026 and he wanted the same for others too.

His message for other youngsters reaching for dreams: “Just try, that’s all you can do really”.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New ZealandUpdated

Second courthouse evacuated as police deal with North Island bomb threats

07 Apr 12:40 AM
Talanoa

‘Surprise’ island nation targeted for US tariffs

07 Apr 12:22 AM
New Zealand

Forecasters keeping eye on 100km/h gusts expected for Hawke’s Bay

07 Apr 12:17 AM

Diabetes NZ & My Food Bag join forces to address one of NZ’s biggest health issues

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Second courthouse evacuated as police deal with North Island bomb threats

Second courthouse evacuated as police deal with North Island bomb threats

07 Apr 12:40 AM

The court was evacuated about 10.45am.

‘Surprise’ island nation targeted for US tariffs

‘Surprise’ island nation targeted for US tariffs

07 Apr 12:22 AM
Forecasters keeping eye on 100km/h gusts expected for Hawke’s Bay

Forecasters keeping eye on 100km/h gusts expected for Hawke’s Bay

07 Apr 12:17 AM
28,000 banned heaters still in NZ homes pose ‘significant risk to lives’

28,000 banned heaters still in NZ homes pose ‘significant risk to lives’

07 Apr 12:01 AM
The dog that changed Laura’s life
sponsored

The dog that changed Laura’s life

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP