Young wāhine Māori Wintec ākonga awarded IT scholarship aspires to graduate at 18

Wintec student, Arohaina Bagley, 17, has a goal to graduate with a degree in Information Technology (IT) by the age of 18, a goal that has become more achievable thanks to winning the Suzanne Hunt IT Scholarship. 

Back row L-R: Peony Smith-Tahere (previous scholarship winner) and Lea Hunt (Suzanne Hunt’s mum), Front row L-R: front Kate Marsden (previous scholarship winner), Arohaina Bagley, Bronwyn Jackson (Suzanne Hunt’s partner) and Marie Collins from Spark.

The young Māori wāhine IT professional was just 16 when she started at Wintec and is the first in her whānau to pursue a career in IT. 

Arohaina said she knew she wanted to study IT early on and worked out what she needed to complete at high school to enter the level 5 IT course at Wintec. Once she completed that course she started working towards her diploma and now she has taken the next step and is currently working towards her degree.

The Suzanne Hunt IT Scholarship was established in 2022 by Wintec in memory of Suzanne Hunt - a past employee of Wintec. As well as working within IT, Suzanne volunteered her time to several organisations associated with providing digital connectivity and literacy in areas of need. This included helping to set up the Computer Clubhouse at Enderley Community Centre in Hamilton – an after-school programme for underserved communities. Suzanne was also a Trustee of Web Access Waikato.

The purpose of the scholarship is to assist female-identifying ākonga in undertaking full-time study towards a qualification offered by Wintec in the Centre for Information Technology. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, character, and involvement in cultural and community life.

This scholarship was set up by Wintec, Suzanne's whānau, and her last employer, Spark Ltd, to recognise and remember Suzanne's achievements and to continue her advocacy to support women to train, qualify and work in the IT field – a traditionally male-orientated profession.

Arohaina said she was in disbelief when she found out she won the scholarship. 

“I applied because my mum told me to,” she laughed, “but at the time I didn’t know how else I was going to come up with the funds.”

“It means a lot to me. It will reduce financial strain on my whānau and free up money for projects, research, and getting real-world experience.”

She said it also frees her from having to pick up extra work to pay her way which means she has the extra time she needs to help her study due to her dyslexia.

Arohaina said she is deeply committed to giving back to her Iwi, Hapu, Marae and community. 

“I currently help my whānau at Whakarae Marae in Te Ururewa with all sorts of mahi. From helping my dad with building maintenance, satellite wifi adjustments or general cleaning.”

“I plan to use my IT knowledge and skills to help unserved and potentially remote marae and communities gain access to technology and digital education. My ideal project would be to trial this at Whakarae Marae with a rangatahi programme and our kaumatua groups. This scholarship will enable me to undertake community-oriented projects, such as setting up computer labs in marae, remote schools, teaching coding classes to underprivileged youth, or participating in initiatives that bridge the digital divide.”

Arohaina said receiving the Suzanne Hunt IT Scholarship was a life-changing opportunity that aligns perfectly with her career goals, personal growth, and community service aspirations. 

“I am dedicated to making the most of this support and am eager to pay it forward by contributing to the IT field and society as a whole.”

She said applying for the scholarship was a simple process and one she would recommend to anyone else who qualifies.