Hailey Xavier – RNZCT Scholarship. Bachelor of Arts – University of Otago

Hailey identifies as queer, hails from Dunedin where she achieved academic excellence & was an outstanding school leader. She was front & centre of everything at school, and is now at the University of Otago studying towards a BA in Arts, majoring in psychology.

Hailey was the Kavanagh High School Environmental Prefect, led the LGBTQI+ group, and despite the challenges of a Catholic school environment she organised their first PRIDE week. She’s a passionate activist & serves on the Dunedin Youth Council, chairing the Race Relations, Mental Health, and Elections subcommittees. She also sat on the PRIDE, Smoke/VapeFree, Arts Festival, & Ten Year Plan Committees as well as being Youth Elect on the Otago Campus Greens.

Hailey’s also a dedicated volunteer! This includes membership of the mental-health initiative in the Public Library Teen-Space – “Well-being Thursdays”. In addition, she’s on the steering committee to implement a youth space for her neighbourhood in Dunedin, and active in climate activism groups Environmental Justice Ōtepoti, Vote Climate 2020, Generation Zero, 350 Aotearoa, & School Strike for Climate.

With SS4C she was the national liaison & one of the lead organisers of the January 2021 rally at parliament & the April Climate Strike. For the Climate strike, Hailey was Ōtepoti’s Media Spokesperson, Police, Council, & Speaker liaison on the day. See Hailey’s personal video here.