Mary-Kate Fonua wins YWCA Auckland leadership award [1]
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 - 17:06
Mary-Kate Fonua (18) was last week awarded the 2016 YWCA Auckland Future Leader of the Year. Mary-Kate immigrated with her family from Tonga to New Zealand in 2008.
A former deputy head student of Mount Roskill Grammar School, Mary-Kate Fonua spent four years as part of a YWCA leadership programme for girls from low-decile schools.
As a Tongan immigrant Mary-Kate said that she used to be insecure with herself, but credits the programme with giving her self-confidence.
She told Stuff News, "Moving from Tonga I had to become more open minded in New Zealand. I had to fit in, and that was hard for me because I didn't think anyone would get me - get all of me."
"When I completed Level Six I was so happy. That was the first time I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could handle."