Nurturing tomorrow’s World Class New Zealanders
Partnering globally successful business people with first in family university students is at the heart of a unique
mentoring initiative launched by Kea and AUT yesterday.
Fifteen students completing degrees in areas as diverse as hospitality and paramedicine will partner with business
professionals who will guide and inspire them as part of the AUT Mentoring programme supported by Kea’s Global Network.
Many of the students are second year Woolf Fisher First in Family AUT Scholarship recipients and all have been carefully
matched with professionals in their area of study.
Intensive Care Paramedic Haydn Drake from St John New Zealand will be mentoring Bachelor of Health Sciences student
Kaycee Bottcher while London-based Sales Director of Orion Health, Belinda Allen will be sharing insights and
inspiration with Rebecca Harris who is completing a Bachelor of Business degree.
Other mentors include a head chef, a youth services advisor, journalists, television presenters, a software developer
and a health researcher.
According to AUT Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack, the concept recognises the need to help students qualify with insights
into the reality of their chosen career and exposure to their industry, as well as achieving excellent academic results.
“AUT is focused on providing wide-ranging student experiences that complement their academic learning and in turn
increase their employability. Our partnership with Kea provides a unique opportunity for our students to grow and learn
with help from internationally experienced New Zealanders.”
“This partnership is about paving the way for future Kea and World Class New Zealanders.”
Kea’s World Class New Zealand Network Global Director Ngapera Riley noted that successful mentor relationships provide
support, a global viewpoint and inspiration.
“We’re delighted that members of the Kea Global Network have made the commitment to assist AUT students and help them on
their journey.”
“Kea’s network embraces hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who live or have lived overseas and we believe their
experiences can provide valuable perspective for mentees.”
Mentoring partnerships in the pilot project:StudentArea of studyMentorPositionCompanyAlexandra NewmanBachelor of Visual ArtsReina SuttonArtistStudio OneAmanda CampbellBusiness: Marketing InsightsRichard McLeanRegional Executive - AsiaCareers Australia - WorkstarBrendan AllanBachelor of Computer and Information SciencesLamar Ah-CheeSoftware DeveloperDatacomDana LawrenceBachelor of Computer and Information SciencesGreig CranfieldCo-Founder & Product ManagerYudoozyKaycee BottcherBachelor of Health ScienceHaydn DrakeIntensive Care ParamedicSt John New ZealandMackenzie BennettBachelor of Business, and picking up BA culinary arts 2016Ben BartonHead ChefScarecrowMartin YerkovichBachelor of Maori Development (but going to change to Comms)Te Arahi MaipiPresenter - The After MatchSky TVNikora PriceBachelor of Communication Studies, plans to major in journalism OR advertisingPeata MelbourneNews Reporter/PresenterTVNZPhoenix Pule-angaBachelor of CommunicationsBen Birks AngNational Youth Services AdviserOdyssey AucklandRebecca HarrisBachelor of BusinessBelinda AllenSales DirectorOrion HealthRoselyn SinghBachelor of Health ScienceTania HallInterfaith & Community Outreach SpecialistWhaiora MaraeSarah BowyerBachelor of ArtsKeitha LallyInspectorNZ PoliceShae MillerBachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)Erena WikaireMaori and Indigenous health researcherThe University of AucklandStacey PurdonBachelor of DesignCaroline WellsProducerYoung & ShandThorne WilliamsBachelor of Communication StudiesEllen ReadNational Business Editor Fairfax Media
ENDS