Ieti Ah Young is the eldest. The one who sets the bar for his brothers to climb higher.
Born in Samoa, raised in New Zealand, Ieti grew up watching his parents chase the opportunities they believed this country could offer. He had big dreams of becoming a doctor, but there was one big barrier.
"How am I going to pay for it? How am I going to pay it back?"
A First Foundation scholarship changed that. His parents cried happy tears. His heart was full.
Now in his fourth year of Medicine at the University of Otago, supported by scholarship partner @volparahealth now Ieti isn't just doing it for his Pacific community, he's doing it for all of New Zealand.
"First Foundation has given me the opportunity to be great. Now the ball's in my field."
#Firstfoundationnz
We've just released our 2025 Annual Report. It shows what happens when someone gets a chance they wouldn't have had otherwise. 78 cents of every dollar goes straight to scholars. For every $1 in, $39 comes back over time. More than half of our partners have come back and done it again.
That tells you more than anything we could say.
Click the link in our bio to check out the full report!
Have you been travelling this month?
You might have spotted First Foundation's founder Steve Carden in @airnz 's Kia Ora magazine.
"Education, when properly supported, behaves less like a cost and more like infrastructure. Its returns compound."
That line says everything about why we do what we do.
27 years. 1,183 scholars. And research showing that for every dollar invested in a First Foundation scholar, society receives $39 in return over their lifetime.
We are working towards 2,000 scholars by 2030.
Pick up a copy on your next flight, or share this post with someone who should read it.
#FirstFoundationNZ
⏰ TWO DAYS LEFT to apply for a First Foundation 2027 Scholarship!
This could be the opportunity that changes everything, but only if you take the leap.
Not sure if you qualify? Check the link in our bio to see if you meet the requirements.
And if it's not for you, share this with someone it could be. One share could change a life. 💛
📅 Applications close: 6 May
🔗 Link in bio
#FirstFoundation #Scholarship2027 #ApplyNow
88 new scholars. 61 completing scholars. One incredible evening. 🎓
Last Tuesday we came together to celebrate the beginning of some journeys and the triumphant end of others.
To our new scholars: your first chapter starts now. We're so proud to walk this journey with you.
To our completing scholars: look how far you've come. We couldn't be more proud. 🙌
Click the link in bio to have a look at all our photos from the Night of Firsts! 📸
#NightOfFirsts #FirstFoundation
What a night. 88 new scholars. Their whanau. Their mentors. The partners who believe in them. And the alumni who showed them what is possible. A Night of Firsts 2026. 🙌
Full ceremony in bio 🔗
#ANightOfFirsts #FirstFoundationNZ
Meet some of the 88 young Kiwis joining First Foundation tomorrow.
They come from all over Aotearoa, studying engineering, law, health sciences, education, business, and more.
Tomorrow, they will walk across the stage at The Night of Firsts and into a programme that will support them through university and into their careers.
We are so proud of every single one of them. ✨
#NightOfFirsts #FirstFoundationNZ #FutureLeaders
The Night of Firsts is coming 🎉
A night where we welcome new scholars into the First Foundation whānau, celebrate those who are completing their journey with us, and hear from the alumni who’ve shown us what’s possible.
Last year’s night was one to remember, this year promises to be just as special 💚 See you next Tuesday 21st of April!
Talent exists everywhere in Aotearoa. Opportunity doesn’t. That’s what we’re here to change.
Our 2025 Annual Report is live — and the numbers speak for themselves:
📚 322 scholars supported
🎓 91 new scholars added in 2025
🌱 800+ strong alumni network
💰 $39 economic return for every $1 invested
We’re on a mission to support 2,000 scholars by 2030 — unlocking over $1 billion in lifetime earnings for talented rangatahi and their whānau.
But with applications up 27% this year, we know there’s so much more potential still waiting to be unlocked.
Read the full story via the link in our bio. 🔗
#firstfoundation #rangatahi #aotearoa #annualreport #futureleaders
A young Kiwi’s future shouldn’t depend on circumstance.
All donations matched $ for $ for the next 24 hours only, thanks to @onbeingbold
Link in bio 🔗
#onbeingbold #FirstFoundation #Futureleaders
ALL donations matched $ for $ until 31 March 💥
Ngā mihi to @onbeingbold for matching every gift up to $20,000 — help us get there 🙌
Give bold.
Give now.
Give opportunity.
Get a third back.
Link in bio 🔗
Meet Reece, Our Stakeholder experience coordinator 🧩
Creative, people-focused, and all about making experiences simple and meaningful, Reece brings his design background to First Foundation. From UX/UI to digital content, he combines strategy, empathy, and clear communication to help stakeholders feel heard and supported.
Swipe to get to know Reece!
