Source: Whitireia and WelTec
For first-year Bachelor of Social Work ākonga Loianna Iasona, study is about more than gaining a qualification – it’s about giving back to her community.
Originally from Tokelau (Atafu and Fakaofo), Loianna returned to study at 36, motivated by her experience caring for loved ones and a strong commitment to helping kāiga navigate life’s challenges. Balancing lectures, placement hours, and kāiga can be intense, she says. “At times, it can feel overwhelming.”
Receiving a Whitireia Foundation Scholarship helped ease some pressure, reducing financial stress and allowing her to focus on her learning. “With that support, I’ve been able to grow my confidence and stay committed to my goals.”
At this month’s Whitireia Foundation Scholarship Awards, recipients were celebrated alongside whānau, sponsors, trustees, kaimahi, and community leaders. Dr Leanne Ivil, Whitireia and WelTec Operations Lead, says ākonga success is not an individual journey – it takes a village. “It takes determination, as well as the support of friends, whānau, and those who believe in you. For many ākonga, receiving a scholarship changes what feels possible – it shows that a community believes in them and their potential.”
Loianna plans to use her qualification to advocate for families needing support with housing, financial assistance, and wellbeing services. The scholarship, she says, is meaningful beyond finances. “It reminds me that my journey is valued and that I’m not doing this alone.”
Fellow scholarship recipient Teina Samoa, also in her first-year of the Bachelor of Social Work, shares a similar sense of purpose. Born and raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua, she was inspired by her nana’s lifelong commitment to service. “She always told me if I wanted to create change, I needed to pursue my studies and never give up – to set an example for my children.”
Teina balances study with her work in mental health and raising her two children. She says the Whitireia Foundation Scholarship has made a significant difference, easing financial pressure so she can focus on her studies and professional growth. Grounded in the sense of strength and belonging she draws from her aiga, she is committed to uplifting Pasifika communities with dignity and care and says the scholarship has deepened both her confidence and her commitment to serve.
This year, scholarships were awarded across disciplines including engineering, nursing, youth work, architectural technology, screen production, counselling and addiction practice, carpentry, paramedicine, electrical engineering, painting and decorating, and veterinary nursing.
Backed by a strong network of sponsors, the Whitireia Foundation Trust continues to invest in ākonga with a clear sense of purpose – supporting their success and their contribution to the communities they call home.