Massey University Alumni

27/05/2026

Join us for the Massey University Fieldays 2026 Alumni Morning Tea at Mystery Creek on 10 June.

It’s a great opportunity for a relaxed morning tea to reconnect with the Massey whānau, hear about the latest developments from across our university, and meet members of the leadership team.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pierre Venter, who took up the role in February, will share a few words with guests during the morning tea. You’ll also hear from Professor Paul Kenyon, who will provide an update on Massey’s latest research and innovation.

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Time: 9.30am – 10.30am
Venue: Hosting Room, Mystery Creek Events Centre, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Hamilton

Please note: Guests will need to use the standard public car parks and walk to the venue. As the Hosting Room is located outside the Event Zone, a Fieldays ticket is not required to access the space.

Spaces are limited, please RSVP here to secure your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/fieldays-2026-massey-alumni-morning-tea-tickets-1990359861926?aff=oddtdtcreator

26/05/2026

“Mental health is close to home for me. I just wanted to help my people where I can, help my whānau where I can.”

For Leeannah Pohe, graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science specialising in Mental Health and Addiction represents not only years of study, but also a commitment to supporting the people and communities around her.

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Leeannah spent much of her life growing up in England before returning home to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2019.

After completing her first degree in the United Kingdom, Leeannah returned to New Zealand and began working in a mental health emergency service. That experience and seeing the impact mental health challenges had within communities and her own whānau, inspired her to continue studying.

“Mental health is close to home for me. I just wanted to help my people where I can, help my whānau where I can, and keep growing,” she says.

She describes graduation day as the moment everything finally came together after years of hard work and perseverance.

“I think graduating is the ‘I did it’ moment. You have your highs and lows over four years of study, but this is the place where it solidifies everything. It’s the cherry on top to say I did it, and it was worth it.”

Behind the celebration, however, was also deep emotion. Leeannah lost her father unexpectedly in January, just months before graduation.

“Today was hard because he’s not here physically, but I know he’s here watching down and he’d be so proud. I’m grateful I got to send him my certificate and tell him, ‘I did it. I finished. Now watch me graduate in May.’”

Leeannah says choosing to graduate in Palmerston North carried special meaning for her and her whānau.

“I chose to graduate in Palmerston North because my uncle Chris, one of my dad’s brothers, passed away in 2023. He worked in a wellbeing service helping men with their mental health and wellbeing in Palmerston North, and he’s buried there,” she says.

“He was really inspiring for me. My dad and his brothers were big figures in their community. They are my strength to keep going.”

Although she wishes her father could have been there in person, Leeannah says her achievement is dedicated to him.

“It’s for him.”

Now beginning the next chapter of her career, Leeannah hopes to work as an AOD (alcohol and other drug) counsellor in Hawke’s Bay, supporting individuals and whānau through difficult times.

“I just want to grow from there, develop my skills and help whānau as much as I can,” she says.

Looking back on her journey, Leeannah hopes other students considering study, especially in mental health, believe in themselves and take the first step.

“Studying can look confronting and overwhelming but trust your instincts and trust who you are as a person. If you know you can support and help people in your community, then go for it. It’s not that scary, and it’s worth it in the end.”

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

Driven by a desire to make a difference in Pacific communities, Alexandra Gasū has graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology, while balancing full-time work, distance study, and summer school papers along the way.

Originally from Ōtara in South Auckland, Alexandra chose Massey University because of the flexibility of distance learning, which allowed her to balance full-time work alongside her studies.

Determined to complete her degree as efficiently as possible, Alexandra studied part-time while also taking summer school papers, finishing her qualification in just three and a half years.

Her passion for psychology was driven by a desire to better understand and support Pacific communities, particularly in the area of mental health.

“For me, it was seeing the gaps in Pacific communities in terms of mental health and education about human behaviour and why we do things the way we do things. There just aren’t enough resources out there to help people navigate that.”

Alexandra hopes to use the knowledge and skills gained through her studies to help bridge those gaps and serve her community.

Graduation day was especially meaningful because it marked the end of a journey filled with both challenges and support from loved ones.

“My highlight today is having the people that I love around me. They’ve been through the ups and downs with me,” she says.

During her studies, Alexandra experienced the loss of her father, who had been there at the beginning of her university journey.

“It was hard to navigate in the middle of the journey, but we made it to the end. That’s what I’m happy about.”

Now, Alexandra is already looking ahead to the next chapter. She has continued her studies with a postgraduate diploma in Psychology.

“I saw it was just one more year, so I thought, while everything’s still fresh in my mind, why not continue?”

Her advice to other Pacific students wanting to make a difference in their communities is simple:

“Just go for it. There are so many brilliant minds in the Pacific community. Act on those ideas, don’t just leave them in the vault. Walk the talk.”

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

19/05/2026

“A proud daddy moment.”

A lifelong goal has become reality for Dr Jack Scanlan, whose graduation also marks a milestone as Massey’s first Pacific graduate of the Doctor of Social Work programme.

“Really proud of being the first Pacific graduate of the Doctor of Social Work programme at Massey University,” Jack says.

“I want to honour my family especially for everything they do to support me. My wife Nicky is the real hero, and also my three kids. This is a proud daddy moment!”

His advice to current and future students: “Work hard, all things are possible, just try your best in anything you do.”

Congratulations Jack on this incredible achievement and welcome to Massey University Alumni whānau!

Read more about Jack's story: https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/alumni-profiles/jack-scanlan

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

18/05/2026

It’s Auckland graduation week!

Come and visit us at the Bruce Mason Centre and stop by the HOKO Massey gift shop for graduation gifts and Massey merchandise to celebrate your special day.

Not on site or want to browse the full range? Shop online anytime:
https://store.massey.ac.nz/

15/05/2026

Applications are now open for the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) at the German Bundestag!

Would you like to work at the German Parliament?

Each year, the German Bundestag, in partnership with Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, offers around 120 scholarships to young university graduates from more than 50 countries.

If you are a New Zealander under the age of 30 with a university degree, the IPS at the German Bundestag could give you the opportunity to experience how the Bundestag works over the course of five months, with three of these spent working in the office of a German Member of Parliament. The programme year 2027 begins on March 1, 2027 and ends on July 31, 2027.

Extended application deadline: 31 May 2026

Find out more: https://wellington.diplo.de/nz-en/deu-und-nz/2526102-2526102

14/05/2026

Meet Bachelor of Aviation graduate Isabel MacDonald, the first-ever female pilot for Air Rarotonga!

At just 23 years old, Isabel is set to make history as Air Rarotonga’s first female pilot.

Raised largely in the Cook Islands before studying in Aotearoa New Zealand, Isabel says the support from the Cook Islands community has been overwhelming.

“The love is unmatched. They’re so, so proud,” she says.

With Cook Islands, Tongan and Samoan heritage, Isabel hopes her journey will inspire more young Pacific women to pursue aviation.

“I’ve started to see other Cook Island girls flying as well, and that is so great to see,” she says.

While the journey to graduation was challenging, Isabel says the experience helped shape her resilience and determination.

“I’m proud to say that I found it hard because that just shows my character. I was very passionate and really wanted to push through, graduate and reach my goal.”

Congratulations Isabel on this incredible achievement!

Read more from RNZ: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific_cook-islands/595029/the-views-will-always-win-meet-air-rarotonga-s-first-female-pilot.

Massey University School of Aviation