Kia ora, my name is Jada and I’m a current graduate in the Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa Graduate Programme for 2025-2026.

I was born and raised in Wellington. Physical activity was a huge priority in my whanau; hence I played every sport possible from primary to college. Because of my love and passion for sports, I decided to pursue it by going to the University of Otago to study a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Physical Education, Activity and Health.

One reason I applied to the graduate programme was to help grow my knowledge and skills about the sport and recreation sector, in order to contribute and help create a healthier and more active Aotearoa. Another reason is the opportunity to experience all the different types of work within the organisation, as well as making connections across the sector.

Being a part of the Graduate Programme has helped lay the foundation for my career. It’s opened my eyes to how big the sector is, and all the inner workings that go on behind the scenes. It’s provided me with countless opportunities to grow professionally and explore areas of interest that I might want to pursue in the future.

There’s no better way to kickstart your career than the Sport NZ Graduate Programme. If you’re ready to be a future leader, I highly recommend applying!