Designing a bright future for himself
“I Have a Dream has given me many opportunities by taking me out on trips and making many connections for me so that I have more branches, more opportunities to go off.”
Awatea Poutai, a Dreamer who has been with the I Have a Dream programme for 8 years, has just been announced as Head Boy of Tikipunga High School for 2025 alongside Sosefina Tiamaa as Head Girl.
Now in Year 12, Awatea has been enrolled in I Have a Dream since Year 6, attending hundreds of after school programmes and receiving support and encouragement from Navigators both in and out of the classroom, helping him to build his confidence and set his sights on a career path that inspires and excites him.
He has also just been awarded a First Foundation Scholarship and has plans to study at Otago Polytechnic to fulfil his dream of becoming a Product Designer.
When Awatea Poutai first learned that he had won the 3 year First Foundation scholarship, valued at over $28,000, he said that was in denial and was questioning whether he deserved it. After a while of disbelief, he said it washed over him that he had been successful and he was able to share his joy with his family who were so proud of him and over the moon about the life-changing opportunity he had been given.
Awatea plans to study Product Design at Otago Polytechnic follow his deep passion for art and design. He shared that he already designs and makes things at home so it seems like a great way to turn something he loves into a rewarding career.
Awatea is known for always having a positive and calming influence on his peers and has had one of the best attendance rates of any Dreamer (programme participant).
Awatea’s I Have a Dream Navigator Lucia Kotze says it has been a delight to watch Awatea blossom from shy and introverted to confident enough to take on leadership roles, to move away from home and study and take on a career in Product Design.
It was through I Have a Dream that Awatea learned about the First Foundation Scholarship opportunity and was encouraged and assisted by members of the team to apply. He has also been given the opportunity to visit Otago University and Polytechnic to look at potential degrees and qualifications.
As well as having the support of a Navigator across his journey with I Have a Dream, Awatea and his whānau have had consistent support from a community based mentor – Dave Cotty. Retired Northlander Dave was inspired by a book by renowned Kiwi author Alan Duff MBE to step up as a volunteer and mentor for I Have a Dream where Awatea was assigned as a mentee. Dave spent countless hours with Awatea both at school and on excursions to musicals, art galleries, museums, sporting fixtures and to meet with architectural firms. Dave rates as a fine young man with plenty of talent and drive and is extremely pleased to see him continue to do so well.
Awatea has also just participated in a trip to take on the Otago Rail Trail Otago Rail Trail and Otago University and Polytechnic with I Have a Dream and a group of fellow students, including next year’s Head Girl Sosefina. Read the story here.
“I Have a Dream has given me many opportunities by taking me out on trips and making many connections for me so that I have more branches, more opportunities to go off.” Awatea said.
Awatea ranks successfully winning the First Foundation scholarship as his proudest achievement to date and can’t wait to get started. The scholarship will give him financial support across 3 years of study commencing in 2026 after he finishes Year 13, plus mentoring and work experience that will set him up for a successful career.
About Awatea:
- Year 13 Student Tikipunga High School
- Dreams include turning his passion for art and design into a career in Product design, moving to Dunedin to study at Otago Polytechnic
- Has been enrolled in I Have a Dream since Year 6
How I Have a Dream has helped Awatea:
- Support and encouragement to help him blossom from very shy and introverted to now wanting to step into leadership roles and to study
- Access to community based mentor Dave Cotty who invested huge amounts of time and financial support to help Awatea explore his interests
- New opportunities and experiences through after school programmes
- Opportunity to go to Otago University to look at degree options and participate in the Otago Trail Rail bike ride
- Extensive support around career and educational pathways including applying for Head Boy and successful First Foundation scholarship
