Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
30 seconds ago
Anna-Marie Robison (Ngāti Porou) is in the final year of her Bachelor of Business Studies after returning to study last year, having first completed a New Zealand Diploma in Business in 2014.
She has also just been awarded the Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust Scholarship.
“It’s more than just the financial support,” she says of the scholarship. “Getting it represents self-belief. I’ve been through so much that I didn’t think I would get it, but it shows me the value of persistence and gives me confidence to keep moving forward.”
Anna-Marie Robison (Ngāti Porou) is in her final year of the Bachelor of Business Studies, and has been awarded the Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust Scholarship.
Anna-Marie first began studying at EIT in 2013, completing her diploma while her father, John, was also studying a farming course.
“He ended up passing away that year. After I completed the diploma in 2014, I needed to take some time away, so I stepped back from study.”
In the years that followed, she worked in a range of community roles before spending five years as the primary caregiver for her grandmother, Josephine, from 2018 to 2023.
After a conversation with her mother, Lizz, the 32-year-old decided she was ready to return to study.
Thanks to cross-credits from her earlier diploma, Anna-Marie was able to enter directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Business Studies, with graduation set for next year.
“I was kind of worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up because I know things would have changed between the last time I studied and this time. But I thought no, I’ll come back and I’ll finish what I started.”
The year has not been without its challenges, but Anna-Marie credits the support of her immediate whānau and EIT’s teaching staff with keeping her motivated.
“The tutors are committed to their students. They’re passionate about what they’re teaching, so it’s really enjoyable studying at EIT.”
Business runs in Anna-Marie’s family. Her mother completed her own Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT, and her youngest sister, Aria, is now in her first year of the same programme.
Her motivation to study business stems from being raised in a family dedicated to service; her grandparents Tom and Josephine are Pastors, and she has long understood the impact of helping others. This influence was further reinforced during COVID-19, when her grandfather and mother founded Gisborne’s only Men’s shelter.
“From a very young age, I’ve been surrounded by community support and helping people who are facing challenges or going through a hard time.”
After graduating, she hopes to continue this “family legacy”.
“I aspire to one day build my own business – one that makes a meaningful difference by supporting and uplifting others.”
EIT Senior Lecturer Russell Booth says Anna-Marie is one of those people who always offers encouragement and support in not only her words but definitely her actions.
“Her role in the community is one about making a difference through these actions, so for her to be recognised through this scholarship is incredible. It shows clearly that others have the belief and faith in her to make that difference.
“At EIT, we are very proud of Anna-Marie and her achievements not only with winning this scholarship but also how she conducts herself on a daily basis with whānau and in the community.”
