Tita Leaupepe
Kaiwhatu – Community Connector and Alliance Builder, Sport New Zealand
Master of Business in Sport Leadership and Management student
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management
Sport has always been a passion of hers, says Tita Leaupepe who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management, and is now enrolled in a Master of Business in Sport Leadership and Management.
“I’ve known from when I was young that I wanted to pursue a career in the sport and recreation industry one day.
“Recognising the values instilled through active participation in sports and recreational activities, and the benefits both on an individual level and the wider social landscape, I felt there was more I could offer my community by acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to harness the potential of sport and recreation.”
Choosing AUT
Deciding to come to AUT for her studies was easy, Tita says.
“I chose to study at AUT because the university came highly recommended by those in my social circle. It catered to my preferred method of learning, which is kinaesthetic. I also appreciated that AUT has a campus in South Auckland, and the lecturers were spoken highly of and described as empathetic, accommodating and approachable.”
After thoroughly enjoying her bachelor’s degree, she fulfilled her long-held dream of working in the sports industry after she graduated in 2016, with management and delivery roles for the Auckland Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby and Sport New Zealand. But study wasn’t quite done with her yet.
“After three years of working in the industry, my curiosity for resolving barriers and sport leadership grew. I wasn’t satisfied with the knowledge and skills I had acquired over the years – I was always pursuing ways to improve professionally and personally. I felt it was time to return to study and use the Master of Business to research some of the topics I was curious about.”
Making a difference
Currently balancing her studies with her work as a kaiwhatu – community connector and alliance builder for Sport New Zealand, Tita loves the positive impact she can make through her work.
“I really want to be able to influence change in society. Wherever there are systems, there’s a long history of leaders who have had the opportunity to impact society positively or negatively.”
She has a clear idea of what she wants to focus on in the future.
“I feel that there’s so much more we can do to influence the leaders of the future. That’s where I’d like to see myself – in the lecture theatre teaching, writing research papers, influencing leadership, or creating change through other means and opportunities.”
