'Amelia Fa'otusia (18), a Tongan Student studying at the University of Waikato, has been awarded the New Zealand Development Pacific Scholarship for Highest Academic Achiever in 2013.

The prestigious  annual scholarship was awarded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT). 'Amelia is currently in her second year of Business Analysis (BBA), Majoring in Economics at Waikato Management School.  

The university's International Student Advisor Caitriona Gyde stated “To be awarded such an important scholarship at just 18 is an incredible achievement and the ongoing love and support she has received from her family back home has played a part in this,”

“MFAT indicated that 'Amelia was a credit to her country and it does the scholarship proud to have someone like her be the recipient. She will have a promising future ahead of her.”

'Amelia Fa'otusia said she hoped to to return to Tonga and play a part in helping with the country’s economic development. 

“The award means more to me than money, it symbolizes encouragement and motivation for me and my fellow scholarship holders to strive to be the best we can academically,” she said.