Leith Delaney – Aurecon Scholarship. Te Tohu Paetahi – University of Waikato

Leith attended Kāpiti College and was the Head of Kura. These roles where previously Head Girl/Boy however Leith was a part of the committee that removed these old labels. Leith was also co-leader of the Queer-Straight Alliance and spearheaded fundraising for InsideOUT, ran queer education lessons, and translated wider Kaupapa into successful school events. Leith is motivated to be the queer role model that they wish they had and strives to uplift the uplift the rangatahi of tomorrow.

Leith attributes much of their success to the extracurriculars they participated in at school. Kapa Haka, Barbershop, Te Waka Rangatahi, and music allowed them to step into a supportive community. This taught them passion and to strive for excellence, their most recent success being in the form of their quartet placing first at barbershop nationals and performing in a multi-media production called ‘Hineraukatauri’.

Leith plans to continue onto a Bachelor of Education and believes that education is the key to creating a better outcome for our queer youth.