Alumni Profiles

When Sam Shaw rolled into Wellington after riding 638 kilometres from Auckland in a single day, he had done something extraordinary. The Massey University alumnus had just set a new fastest known time for the solo ride, finishing in 17 hours, 21 minutes and 34 seconds – more than an hour faster than the previous record.

Peri Zee has long called Upper Hutt home. Born in the Wairarapa, she moved to Upper Hutt when she was just a few weeks old and has grown up in the city ever since. She attended St Joseph’s School and Maidstone Intermediate, building strong ties to the community over the years. Today, she still lives in the community that has elected her as Mayor.

I am currently working as a Trainee Agronomist, where I shadow experienced agronomists within the business to develop the skills and knowledge needed to support growers in the vegetable sector.

How does someone who had almost completed his training to become a dentist decide instead to follow a career in Horticulture? Francis knew he liked horticulture, and he knew that he wanted to make a difference in the world, make a contribution.

Research Associate, Plant and Food Hawkes Bay Jack’s journey into Horticulture came from a desire to live and work outside of Auckland and its busy corporate lifestyle.

When on her practicum Molly says that she learned a lot and this learning was very useful for her study. She has found that horticultural industry people really want young people to come into the industry and they are really supportive in fact she called her former employer her, ‘mate’.

Sarah Martin came into Horticulture via a different pathway from most. Sarah was introduced to horticulture at Rangeview Intermediate in Auckland where they had a horticulture club. The teacher was inspiring and introduced the students to the tomato, ‘Yellow Pear’. 

For Dan Te Whenua Walker, leadership has never been about titles alone. It has been shaped by whakapapa, tested through failure, and refined by a commitment to service, across corporate boardrooms, marae, global technology spaces and community organisations.

After completing her Bachelor of Accountancy entirely by distance, walking into the graduation ceremony and then on to campus, Aleisha Coskerie felt like a milestone moment she’d been working towards for years. 

Alyssa Mataiti, Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Pāhauwera, grew up in Wellington and spent her final years of high school in Manawatū, which led her to continue her studies at Massey University, completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology.

When Elijah Murrell-Manu (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tama, Rangitāne) walked across the graduation stage today, he carried a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, and more importantly, the pride of his whānau, the strength of his father, the support of close friends, and a dream shaped by the ocean.

When Karena Waru, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Hika a Papauma, walked across the graduation stage, the moment was about more than finishing a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. What stood out most was the people who had helped her get there, all there to celebrate alongside her.

Rangikura Ford graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Education and Social Anthropology. Originally from Tokoroa, he chose Massey University because it offered something essential to his circumstances: flexibility.

Samuel Whiley graduated with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, after changing direction early in his studies. He began in Sport and Exercise, but during his first year decided it wasn’t the best fit for him.

Graduation day was both a celebration and a quiet moment of reflection for TeMihinga Tuterangiwhiu, who has just completed a Master’s degree in Museum Studies. 

Originally from Levin, Massey University felt like a natural choice for Tiana Finay, Ngāti Kahungunu, Hamoa. It was close to home, offered strong study options, and fitted well with what Tiana wanted to achieve. When her partner began planning to start a business, she decided to step in and support the journey from the paperwork side.

Jonathan Larsen’s recent election as Mayor of Kaipara District reflects a long-standing commitment to local government and community service. A proud Massey alumnus, Jonathan steps into the role after four terms as a district councillor, including his most recent term as Deputy Mayor.

Born in Denmark and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand from the age of 14, Massey alumnus Aksel Bech has called Waikato home for more than 30 years. The long connection to the place and its people has fostered his leadership style in service and community voice. 

It’s a philosophy that shapes everything Anita does in the classroom. It guides the way she builds strong, meaningful relationships with her students and encourages them to step beyond their comfort zones and discover their own path as learners. 

A classroom project about food might seem simple at first. But for Kerri Williams and her students, it was a chance to build confidence, creativity and connection through language.

Sam began studying for the Bachelor of Aviation Management degree in the first semester of 2017 and graduated in 2020. Before even graduating, he had begun at Wellington Airport as a Works Safety Officer in 2019. One year later, Sam had enrolled in a Master of Aviation, while continuing to work full-time, which he completed (with merit) in 2023!

The first half of Quyen’s degree was done by distance from Vietnam, while balancing full-time work and having a baby: the other half took place on campus at Massey’s School of Aviation. Quyen describes her studies as an emotional rollercoaster of deadlines, work and family commitments, but she knew this degree would be worth it.

Toby was one of the School of Aviation’s ‘Management’ students – he started his studies in Semester 1 of 2016 and graduated by 2019 with a Bachelor of Aviation Management, having twice been named on the Dean’s list (which means he achieved an average of A- overall or higher across an academic year).

Woody began studying for the Bachelor of Aviation Management degree in the first semester of 2013 and graduated early 2016. Woody’s journey to graduation included spending a semester at Embry Riddle Aviation University as an exchange student, for which he won an ’Exchange Students Travel Grant’, a Freemasons University Scholarship, and a place on the Dean’s list.

Following his graduation, David Beardsmore worked as a flight instructor at Massey University’s School of Aviation for a brief period before moving to Zimbabwe to fly for a charter company based in Harare.

After graduating with the Bachelor of Aviation ATP, San San Tan returned home to Malaysia and flew with Air Asia as an Airbus A320 First Officer from 2015 until 2023. She is currently a First Officer on Airbus A380 aircraft with an international airline company.

The aviation industry has long captured Ajai Jayathilakan (Aj)’s interest, not only as a mode of transport but as a driver of economic growth and regional development. That passion ultimately led him to undertake a PhD in Aviation examining how India’s aviation sector can become more resilient and sustainable in times of change.

“Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to fly”. That early fascination has now come full circle, as Charlie Teariki graduates with a Bachelor of Aviation and steps confidently into a career already underway.

Between raising two young daughters, building a career and pursuing her creative passions, Destiny Grant has discovered that growth often comes from returning to what matters most.

For George Deans, earning a business degree in accounting from Massey University was never going to be a straightforward journey. While studying online, he was simultaneously managing family life, working up to 30 hours a week and running two companies.

For Leeannah Pohe, graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science specialising in Mental Health and Addiction represents not only years of study, but also a commitment to supporting the people and communities around her.

With her graduation gown still fresh on her shoulders, Phatcharee (Michelle) Sonsutti is already looking ahead to the classroom, where she has always felt she belongs. “I love learning and teaching. I love young children, teaching is my dream job,” she says.

Not every career path begins with a clear plan. After finishing her bachelor's degree at Massey University and feeling unsure about her next step, Sophie Marsden took a chance on teaching.

After six and a half years of study, setbacks, life changes and determination, Thara Prabhakar crossed the graduation stage with a sense of accomplishment that was about much more than earning a qualification.

Just one day after celebrating her graduation, Kate Haines was on a flight to Europe to represent New Zealand at the 2026 World Rowing Cups. Within weeks, she stood on the international podium twice, helping the New Zealand Women’s Four secure a bronze medal at World Cup I and a silver medal at World Cup II.

Balancing university assignments with elite sport, Brenna Greene claimed gold in the Senior Women’s Team Power event at the 2025 International Taekwon-Do Federation World Championships. The experience taught her resilience, discipline and time-management skills she now hopes to bring into her teaching career.

Craig, founder of Progressive Meats, started with six employees in 1981. With the company growing to more than 400 staff in its primary business, ‘Progressive’ has become more than branding. Craig calls it a culture: “Always seeking to improve, continuous improvement.”