After weeks of checking her emails every day, Arohaina Pahi could hardly believe her eyes when the news she’d been waiting for finally arrived – she’d been awarded a scholarship that could change the trajectory of her life, a chance to go to university.
“I was over the moon and so excited, I screamed for two minutes,” the bubbly 17-year-old laughs.
Arohaina will be the first female in her whānau to attend a tertiary institute, something she describes as a “big, big milestone” not just for herself, but for her family too.
“To celebrate, we went to a restaurant,” she says.
“They kind of pampered me. That was a new experience – I’ve never seen anyone being treated so special. They said I’d done all this work to get myself here and they were so proud of me. “That’s my goal for my future – to make everyone I love very, very proud.”
Arohaina is the latest recipient of a L’Oréal New Zealand scholarship through First Foundation, an organisation that supports academically capable young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend university.
Finding her own path
The scholarship provides Arohaina with three years of fees, along with a mentor and a paid internship with L’Oréal. This gives her not only financial support, but also guidance and exposure to the working world.
“When my school told me about the scholarship, I was really interested in the opportunity because it offered financial support as well as guidance,” explains Arohaina.
“I really had my heart set on this – I didn’t have a plan B.”
The self-confessed “swot” is completing her last year at Auckland’s Edgewater College, where subjects she loves include English, biology and te reo Māori.
“I’m very proud to be Māori,” she smiles.
“I’m Ngāpuhi and Tūhoe, and a lot of other things from all over.”
Arohaina is eyeing up a Bachelor of Business at the University of Auckland. Her original plan had been to study medicine, possibly at the University of Otago. But after thinking about the number of people heading down that path, she decided to take a different direction and study close to home.
“There are so many opportunities in business and you can go to some really big places,” she explains.
That’s something L’Oréal’s country lead Daina Wilson can wholeheartedly agree with. Daina, 39, completed a double degree at the University of Auckland. She first studied for a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology, then completed a commerce degree.
Paying opportunity forward
She joined L’Oréal’s management trainee programme 16 years ago and today heads up the entire New Zealand business. Like Arohaina, Daina also knows what it’s like to pioneer higher education in her family. She and her older sister Rebecca were the first in their family to attend uni. Now, she’s particularly pleased to be able to help another young woman take the same path.
“Worldwide, L’Oréal for Youth helps young people shape and build meaningful careers,” Daina explains.
“To implement this in New Zealand, we started First Foundation in 2024 to offer financial assistance, work experience and a mentor to a deserving applicant. “Part of the opportunity is that Arohaina will do a paid summer internship with us, getting experience in head office, in the field and in our distribution centre, to really build her confidence.”
A family full of pride
Daina was immediately impressed by the teenager’s attitude and the supportive family around her when they met at the scholarship celebration. Arohaina is the second eldest of 11 siblings. The youngest is just three years old and was super-excited to help her older sister pick up a goodie bag loaded with L’Oréal products!
“I was blown away by her confidence, the ambition she showed and the beautiful family she has,” says Daina.
“She’s such a source of pride for them. With lots of younger siblings, she might also inspire and drive future change for her family. I hope this scholarship helps her achieve her goals and dreams.”
Receiving the scholarship has given Arohaina a boost as she closes out the final months of high school. It’s given her more reason to strive for better.
“I have an extra opportunity to do something now – I don’t have to sit there and wonder what I’m going to do,” she says.
“I’m scared and nervous because it’s a new journey for me, but I’m very excited to make new connections and meet people who are similar or on the same career pathway. “I’ll keep my head down and get on with it. This opportunity has given me hope – it’s really set me up.”
For more info about L’Oréal’s scholarship programme, visit firstfoundation.org.nz.
