Rowing toward success
The day after crossing the graduation stage at Massey University, Kate Haines boarded a flight to Europe to represent New Zealand at the 2026 World Rowing Cup I in Seville, Spain.
Less than two weeks later, she celebrated another major achievement, helping the New Zealand Women’s Four claim a bronze medal, her first medal at the elite international level.
“I was so excited when we won the bronze medal at World Cup I. It’s my first medal at the elite level, so it was a huge milestone for me. I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my rowing career to get me to this point,” Kate says.
The momentum continued at World Rowing Cup II in Bulgaria, where Kate and her teammates secured a silver medal in the Women’s Four, adding another podium finish to an already remarkable international campaign.
For Kate, the achievement was particularly meaningful because it came on the heels of another long-awaited accomplishment: completing a Bachelor of Business in Accounting after years of balancing high-performance sport with academic study.
“To be honest, I feel like it’s a big milestone. Balancing sport with studies has had its challenges, so it’s pretty epic to finally graduate.”
While many elite athletes place education on hold, Kate has always been determined that her sporting career would complement, rather than compromise, her academic ambitions.
More than an athlete
“Rowing has been my main priority, but I’ve always valued learning and education. From a young age, I loved studying and setting high goals for myself.”
That commitment has paid off. Kate graduated in the top five per cent of her class, earned eight Certificates of Distinction throughout her degree and achieved an A+ in one of her final papers.
“I’m really proud of that. I always wanted to make sure I kept challenging myself academically as well as athletically,” she shares.
Her passion for education was nurtured at home. Growing up in Auckland, Kate and her sister developed a reputation for being unusually dedicated students.
“We always laugh about it because my parents would say, ‘Why don’t you just go and have some fun?’ But we genuinely loved learning,” Kate recalls, “My dad was very academic, and I think I wanted to follow in his footsteps and make him proud.”
For Kate, education has provided far more than a qualification. It has also helped her navigate the intense pressures of elite sport.
She explains, “Study helps my rowing performance. Having something outside of rowing is beneficial because otherwise you can become completely fixated on it. If rowing isn’t going well, it can feel like nothing is going well. Study gave me another focus and another source of achievement.”
She also recognised the importance of preparing for life beyond competition. “There’s a life after rowing, and I wanted to set myself up academically for the career path I want. Education opens doors for what’s next.”
Making every hour count
That mindset required discipline, careful planning and plenty of determination. While training and competing internationally, Kate often adjusted her study load to match the demands of her rowing schedule.
“I didn’t just want to get through my degree, I wanted to do it well,” she says.
“When rowing was particularly intense, I might only take one paper. That’s why it’s taken me longer to complete my degree, but I wanted to be able to give both rowing and study the attention they deserved.”
A typical day during training involved two or three rowing sessions, gym work, recovery, and squeezing university study into whatever time remained.
“We’d be on the water for hours, come home, eat, have a short rest, then I’d spend an hour or two on university work before heading back to training again. Sleep and healthy food become incredibly important.”
One of the greatest advantages was Massey’s flexible distance-learning model, which allowed Kate to continue studying while based overseas.
Her final paper was completed while training in the United Kingdom. “Honestly, studying overseas was so much fun. Massey’s distance-learning structure made such a difference.”
She still remembers the unusual circumstances surrounding her final assignment.
“The last assignment of my whole degree was a group presentation. The only time that worked for everyone was 11am in New Zealand, which was midnight in London. I finished my degree at about 1am in London!”
Chasing dreams on the world stage
The transition from graduation celebrations to international competition was swift.
Kate laughs, “It was pretty hectic. I packed my graduation gear and my travel bags at the same time. It was really special to celebrate with my family and then literally wake up at 6am the next morning to head to the airport.”
Her family has been a constant source of support throughout both her academic and sporting journeys. “My mum’s three sisters all came to graduation, which was really special,” she says.
Kate first discovered rowing at age 14 while attending school in Auckland. By Year 13, she had earned selection for her first New Zealand team, representing the country at the Under-19 level.
“That was a really special moment. I had heaps of family there, and it lit the fire for me. That’s when I realised I wanted to keep doing this and become a professional athlete.”
Another unforgettable milestone came when she represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games. She recalls, “Even though our racing didn’t go as well as we wanted, being in the Olympic Village and experiencing the Games was incredible. Watching the rest of the New Zealand team compete was really special.”
Outside rowing and study, Kate is equally passionate about giving back. She volunteers with Dress for Success and works part-time at Deloitte, experiences that have broadened her perspective beyond sport.
“Volunteering is something I’m passionate about. Seeing someone walk out with a smile after finding an outfit that makes them feel confident is amazing.”
Her part-time role at Deloitte has offered valuable professional experience and a chance to step into a world very different from elite sport. After years focused on training and competition, even the basics of office life felt unfamiliar at first. Supported by a welcoming and patient team, she has enjoyed learning new skills and gaining insight into a professional career beyond rowing.
The next challenge awaits
Looking ahead, Kate’s immediate focus is clear: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I’d love to be there and hopefully have a medal around my neck at the end of it,” she says.
Beyond that, she is considering further study, including the possibility of attending Cambridge University, where her father once studied.
For now, though, she remains focused on the journey ahead and encourages other student-athletes to trust the process.
“Stick to your plan and enjoy the process. It’s going to be hard at times, and some weeks, months and even years will be tougher than others. But if you keep showing up, doing your best every day and giving every assignment and every training session your best effort, that’s all you can really do.”