Awatea Poutai, a Dreamer who has been with the I Have a Dream programme for 6 years, has just been announced as Head Boy of Tikipunga High School for 2025.
Now in Year 12, Awatea has been enrolled in I Have a Dream since Year 6, attending hundreds of after school programs 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 fulfill 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 (program 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.
He will also be participating in the Otago Rail Trail with I Have a Dream and a group of fellow students this December.
“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.
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