Manawaru Broughton

1st-year student, Bachelor of Business in Finance with minors in International Business and Strategy & Entrepreneurship and Innovation

His dream is to start his own business one day, says Manawaru Broughton who is studying a Bachelor of Business in Finance with minors in International Business and Strategy & Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“I’ve always wanted to do my own thing and be my own boss one day. Business was my favourite subject in school – I initially wanted to do music but when I started studying business in Year 13, I realised how much I loved it.

“In one of the classes, we were asked to create our own business. It was meant to be theoretical only but I ended up creating a café, with barista students applying their skills and some of the profits going towards the Tairāwhiti Mayoral Relief Fund to help people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. I loved handling my own finances and seeing the challenges businesses go through. It inspired me to study business at uni.”

Now enrolled in a Bachelor of Business at AUT, Manawaru says he is enjoying his studies.

“I’ve found my studies so far really good. My favourite class is finance, which is also the subject I want to major in. I love learning about money and how the business world works. We just finished learning about how to track the stock market, which showed me another way to make extra income without having to work while I’m studying. I’m trying to get the best grades I can and am proud of mainly getting A’s so far, and I don’t think I’d have those grades if I was working.”

A new life in Auckland
Moving to Auckland to attend university was a big step for Manawaru who grew up in Gisborne.

“During my last year in school I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to university. I was working as a bartender and would probably still be working there if I hadn’t gone to uni. I was pretty close to the owner and talked to him about all my business ideas. But once I realised how much I loved business I decided to study it at uni and come to AUT. My mum encouraged me to go to uni, and my school told me about the McDonald’s Scholarship, which I was lucky enough to receive. Being able to study fees free for a year made university more attractive too.”

He admits moving away from home and his closeknit community was a bit daunting at first, but he quickly made connections to make the transition a little easier.

“At my interview for the McDonald’s Scholarship I first met Hariata Mareroa from AUT’s Pou Māori – Māori Centre and she made me realise that there’s a big Māori community at AUT. I had visited Auckland before and hadn’t seen that many Māori. I have a big family in Gisborne and most of my schoolmates were Māori too, so moving to Auckland was pretty scary at first. I didn’t know what to expect. Pou Māori has really helped me settle in, helped with finances and gives us extra support if we need it.

“Because of the McDonald’s Scholarship I also got to meet lots of other students from Gisborne who are also on this scholarship. We’re all living in Akoranga Student Village, AUT’s student accommodation near the North Campus. That’s where I have my main group of friends, and I’ve found people I plan to flat with next year. The whole student village has become really close, and the residential assistants organise a lot of activities you can join in – quiz nights, movie nights, support groups during exam time and other ways to engage with other students in the village.”

Advice for other students
Manawaru has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their university journey.

“For me, starting up uni was really scary, especially as I was coming from a small town like Gisborne. My advice is to save up as much money as you and sign up for all the scholarships you’re eligible for. Take advantage of all the opportunities you get at uni as they’re aimed to help you both socially, and academically.

“I’d also recommend staying in student accommodation – that’s how you find your group at uni, especially if you’re new to Auckland.”

His other piece of advice relates to getting around Auckland.

“My advice is to take advantage of public transport in Auckland. I came here with a car, fully expecting to drive to uni, but compared to driving public transport is much cheaper and parking in the city centre is a nightmare. Using public transport is much easier.”