From financial stress to financial freedom for Auckland whānau
For Augustine Kopa, studying the Certificate in Money Management at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was about creating a better future for her whānau.
The programme helped her tackle debt, build financial confidence, and develop the tools to make lasting changes for herself and her tamariki.
"I have now successfully built an emergency fund, been able to pay all of my children's annual tuition fees for the first time, opened KiwiSaver accounts for each of them and, most importantly, I am now debt free."
Throughout her studies, Augustine was motivated to tackle her financial challenges and apply her learning to build a stronger financial future.
"At the beginning of the programme, I felt overwhelmed by debt and struggled to manage everything, but I realised that addressing these issues was necessary to create a better future."
As a working mum with young tamariki, Augustine said finding the time to learn more about managing money was difficult, but the flexibility of studying with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa made it possible.
She credits the programme and the support of her kaiako with helping her take control of her finances and gain peace of mind knowing that she’s helping her tamariki build a strong financial future.
"The flexibility of studying online with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa made it possible to pursue my goals while balancing other commitments. My kaiako were amazing. They were thorough, engaging, and always there to help and support me.”
Having experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to face financial challenges, Augustine now hopes to use what she has learnt to help others create healthier relationships with money.
Augustine encourages others who may be in a similar situation to take the first step and study the Certificate in Money Management.
"You have nothing to lose. Go get it done. You deserve all that you dream of."
Find out more about our leadership and management programmes.
Pūrongo whakahirahira
Featured stories
From financial stress to financial freedom for Auckland whānau
For Augustine Kopa, studying the Certificate in Money Management at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was about creating a better future for her whānau.
Two generations, one reo Māori journey
When Melody Francis (Ngāti Kahungunu) saw the positive impact that studying te reo Māori had on her mum, she decided to jump on the waka and begin the journey alongside her.
Tikanga study boosts whānau presence on marae
Patrick and Donna Tobin (Ngāti Kahu) are a brother-and-sister duo studying tikanga alongside their wider whānau at Te Paatu Marae in Kaitaia, all working towards the betterment of their whānau, iwi, and marae.
A teacher’s path to understanding tikanga
Originally from South Africa, Franda Zondagh has called Aotearoa home since 2003, but it was through studying He Papa Tikanga with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that she began to feel a deeper connection to the place she lives and people she serves in her mahi.
Leading by example and learning te reo Māori
Liisa Wharepapa’s (Te Whānau ā Apanui) journey with te reo Māori wasn’t something that happened overnight, it was a goal waiting to be pursued until the moment she felt ready to take that step.
Returning home and reclaiming te reo Māori
After many years away building his professional career, Logan Bertram (Whakatōhea), returned home to Ōpōtiki with a clear goal of reconnecting with his whakapapa and creating a better future for his young whānau.
A teaching journey shaped by whānau
The journey to becoming a teacher was not a straight line for Nimai Fraser‑Eccleston, it was shaped by whānau, lived experience and his desire to create a meaningful life for his tamariki.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori
When the opportunity came up to study Manu Taiko, New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance, at the Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Paora Rauputu didn’t hesitate to enrol.
Flexible study supports Cromwell business owner
Based in Cromwell, Sam Taylor needed flexibility to balance work, study and build his business, and found exactly that through the online Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Turning point inspires commitment to change, community, and career
In 2024, Bryce Marsh faced a major turning point in life that led to him studying Manaaki Tangata at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, setting him on a path of healing, self-discovery and a desire to give back to his community.
