About Our Team
Our vision is success for extraordinary young New Zealanders on the national and international stage.
The Adastra Foundation was established in 2007 to provide financial and mentoring support to extraordinary young New Zealanders in their pursuit of excellence.
To date, the Adastra Foundation has awarded over 1000 scholarships and totalling over $2,000,000.
Trustees
Graeme Maw - Chair
After an enthusiastic but innocuous career in junior soccer, badminton and rugby union, Graeme has accrued over 20 years’ experience leading international sports programmes, and developing successful athlete and coach pathways.
These include stints with Queensland Swimming, British and NZ Triathlon, Welsh Rugby Union, UK coaching and Millfield School in England.
Graeme has the distinction of having represented three different nations in support at summer Olympic Games, and been Chef de Mission for Great Britain at the World University Games.
When not supporting others, Graeme can be found riding various bicycles, hiking up or skiing down mountains, or exasperating his family and livestock on their Waikato lifestyle block at Tamahere.
Karen Singers
Karen is passionate about creating opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi; she has been involved with Perry Outdoor Education Trust for a number of years, the last twelve as POET General Manager. POET partners with schools to support teacher facilitated outdoor education programmes in low decile secondary schools. Much of Karen’s work involves managing a range of stakeholder relationships, crucial in meeting their strategic outcomes.
Prior to POET, Karen worked in a role responsible for the distribution of funding to NFP organisations.
Karen has extensive governance experience, including the National COGS committee and currently, Outdoor Education NZ.
Jenna Keane
Jenna was born and raised in Central Otago but has been in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region for the past 7 years. After 4 years in the event industry as the Secondary School Tough Guy & Gal Challenge she transitioned to roles in both Women and Girls and Youth Engagement at Sport Waikato.
A new opportunity now sees Jenna employed by the NZ Police as the Waikato Physical Education Officer, continuing her passion of both physical activity and community work.
Understanding some of the pressures and expectations youth face in the ever-evolving world of social media and their online image, puts her in a good place to support our youth as they pursue their passions.
Physical activity and sport is an important part of her lifestyle and she continues to play social sport and do CrossFit. Although not musically trained herself, some of her family have followed this pathway and Jenna is excited to be more engaged in the music and arts scene.
Alison Wieringa
Alison, born and raised on a family farm in Walton, has played, coached, and mentored NZ netballers finest.
Coach of New Zealand A, Magic, Northern Force, provincial and age group teams, following a playing career that saw her reach the top level, she has a passion for helping young people strive to achieve. Add in her experience leading Welsh Netball as their National Performance Director, Netball NZ selector, mentoring for Tania Dalton Foundation and judge on the BOP Sports awards panel for 10 years, and she brings a huge range of experience to the Trust.
Having worked in health and sports management roles, she’s well practiced in managing teams, developing leaders, and looking at opportunities for growth.
Music has been part of her life and this role provides the chance to engage in the performing arts arena alongside the sporting scene.
New challenges for Alison see her managing the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, enjoying playing golf alongside her husband, and keeping a track on their two children who live in Sydney and Wanaka.
David Sidwell
David is heavily involved in music education throughout NZ at both secondary and tertiary levels, currently managing the Department of Music & Performing Arts and postgraduate studies in the School of Media Arts at Wintec. He holds a Masters Degree in Arts Management from Central Queensland University and is currently completing a PhD.
David’s involvement in music, education and theatre as director, musical director, composer, orchestrator/arranger and pianist include many successful productions in NZ and Australia; The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, Les Misérables, Oliver starring Richard O’Brien as Fagin, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Evita, Starlight Express, Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, Sister Act, Bonnie & Clyde, We Will Rock You, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Chicago.
As an accomplished pianist, David has worked with numerous New Zealand singers, performers, recording artists and featured as the pianist for the New Zealand Film Archive touring road shows.
David has been awarded an honorary institutional medal from Wintec for his forty-year contribution to the arts, as well as a Merit Award from Musical Theatre New Zealand. In 2014 he was honoured with the prestigious ‘Freedom of the City’ award, an accolade bestowed by Hamilton City recognizing David’s services to the arts and culture in the city over the past thirty-five years.
Honey Hireme-Smiler
Honey Hireme-Smiler, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Haua, Ngati Whakaue. Honey is a dual rugby league / rugby union international who has been an exceptional flag bearer for New Zealand women’s rugby and rugby league.
As a former Black Fern and Kiwi Fern, she brings a career spanning 18 years at international level. Her commitment, passion and dedication to her sports saw her appointed as a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Sport.
Honey has 10 years experience working within the health and disability sector previously as a community programme manager, and a senior disability sport advisor with the Halberg Foundation. She currently works as a Sky Sport presenter/commentator and has recently been appointed the role of cultural advisor at Hospice Waikato. Honey continues to give back via coaching, mentoring, governance and various ambassador roles, ranging from school and community to representative and international level. Her values for family are strong; she believes that sport has the power to bring people together and create strong foundations for families, teams and communities to grow.
Don't Be Shy. Get In Touch.
If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!
Sponsors
The Adastra Foundation acknowledges the support of:
Our Supporters
This week @twinter.cc and two of his friends embark on an epic fundraising journey. With 800kms of cycling ahead of them from one side of the North Island to the other, they are raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Check out their page and follow their journey. @capetocape2024
Link to where you can donate below:
givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/capetocape
Let’s go lads!!!🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️ ... See MoreSee Less
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Thomas Winter and friends are about to embark on a huge mission - cycling
800km across the North Island starting at East Cape.
Check out Cape to Cape 2024, follow their journey and if you can, consider donating to this worthwhile cause.
Let's go lads!!Wow! Thanks to you, we've hit $3,000 donated towards the @childcancerfoundation
👀 ONLY 26 DAYS TO GO 👀 ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @_k.russell ! Born and bred in 4th largest town in the Waikato - Tokoroa! Keira is currently in her last year Hamilton Girls’ High School. When Keira was 10, her goal was to make the first XV Black Ferns team. Her current goals are to complete high school and make Waikato’s Women’s FPC team next year!
After sports, Keira would love to become a social worker or a flight attendant, which we know she’ll excel at! We asked Keira what advice she’d give to her younger self, and she said, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Never be afraid to make a mistake, and never forget where you come from.”
Keira applied for Adastra as she saw it could help her financially with her schooling and sports events, and also take a load off her parents’ shoulders. Keira said, “I have seen the support thanks to Adastra, and the Merito & Hill family have provided me with the opportunity to attend more school activities and sports tournaments.”
Keira said, “The support from Adastra has been awesome. I’ve also recommended it to my rugby team to apply for this foundation, as it could help them as much as it has helped me. I’ve learned so much, and it also helps get me out of my comfort zone during the workshops.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @talithamcewan ! Born and raised in Mount Maunganui, she attended Mount Maunganui College. Talitha is currently living in Boca Raton, Florida, and says being away from home has made her realize how much she misses home and all the goodness it provides!
Talitha has some incredible achievements, three in particular that hold great pride and motivation. She made the NZ Lifesaving World Championship team, the Open Black Fins team competing in the German Cup as an U18, and became a D1 (division 1) athlete whilst also gaining an academic scholarship in the USA!
Talitha said, “I am so grateful for the support from the Adastra Foundation over the past couple of years. The workshops provided during the year have been incredibly valuable as I’ve learned a lot and been able to grow as an athlete. The funding has made a significant difference in helping me get to national and international competitions, and I would definitely recommend it to others.”
Talitha would like to thank her whānau for all their personal and financial support. She’d also like to thank her boyfriend for helping her with her transition to the US and her coach Stan for helping her believe in herself and for coaching her over the last few years! Also, a massive thank you to @tectnz for their amazing support of our BOP recipients and to all our funders for believing in our recipients. ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @turama_p ! Born and raised in the mighty Waikato - Te Awamutu! Turama is currently completing his last year at Ngā Taiatea Wharekura, while also preparing for preseason with the U19 Warriors squad to compete in the SG Ball Cup run by the NSW Rugby League!
A special place that fills Turama’s cup is on the west coast of Aotearoa in a small village called Taharoa! He loves to ride his dirt bike and enjoy a bit of hunting and fishing. Being surrounded by the countryside allows Turama to simply enjoy the peacefulness and recharge his batteries.
When Turama was ten, he had one goal in mind: to make the NRL, and that goal stands strong! A huge motivator that keeps him focused is his parents, who have always pushed Turama to better himself every day.
Turama has learned that things are a lot easier in a team or group. His advice for his younger self would be to remember to enjoy sport while it’s still just for fun! A massive thank you to all our funders for their continuous support in our recipients’ journeys! ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @ryan._hastings , born and raised in the capital of MTB - Rotorua! A special place that fills Ryan’s cup is the Whakarewarewa Forest, situated in the heart of Rotorua. This is where he grew up training and riding his bike with all his friends.
Having world-class trails on his doorstep has been a huge advantage for Ryan, leading to some epic achievements. A few that make him proud include being selected for the NZ Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships team two years in a row, placing 13th at a UCI DH World Cup, and finishing 8th at the BMX World Champs when he was seven.
Ryan says that based on what he’s learned so far, the advice he would give his younger self is to keep pushing forward and work hard to make his dreams come true. This has been a consistent thought and goal for Ryan since he was 10, when he wanted to race his bike overseas and win a national title. He still holds that goal close and is motivated to keep working hard to head back to Europe, race his bike, and achieve the best results he can.
Ryan said, “I applied for the Adastra Scholarship for what they offered through the workshops and financially, as it was a big help in allowing me to travel to Europe and have the opportunity to race overseas.” Ryan would like to thank his family, coaches, and all his sponsors, as they have allowed him to perform at his best. As always, a huge thank you to all our funders who help our recipients grow and chase their dreams!
📸 @madlovemedia e ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @georgewyllie_ Born in Bath, England, and raised in Tauranga, George is currently a student at Tauranga Boys’ College. When he isn’t training at the track, you can find him in the ocean catching some waves!
George has some epic goals fueled by his love of pure competition, and his achievements reflect that. He won the U18 3km Oceania Championship, the U20 5km National Championship, and he made the World U20 1500m standard time!
George said, “I want to be the best, which means chasing NZ records but to always remember to keep on grinding, even when the results don’t go your way”. A massive inspiration to him is two-time NZ Olympic 1500m runner @samueltanner_ . George said, “He inspires me the most; I don’t think I’ve ever met a more positive dude.” He would like to follow in Sam’s footsteps and one day aspire to travel the world and compete as a pro runner for Aotearoa!
George added, “I applied for the scholarship as I saw it as an opportunity to help grow as an athlete on and off the track, with the help provided.”
Our recipients wouldn’t have these opportunities without the support of funders, so a massive thank you to you all, especially the incredible team at @tectnz ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @ben_pilbrow born and raised in the mighty BOP where he attended Tauranga Boys College! Ben is currently working on completing his second year as a building apprentice and continues to train after work!!
Ben said “ I applied for the Adastra scholarship as I felt that it was an awesome opportunity for me to grow as a person outside of just kayaking, and a way to become a better all round athlete and person which is super important to me”
Bens goals that are a driving force for himself is to make the Under 23’s New Zealand Canoe Slalom team next year and go to the World Champs in France! He is also heading to Europe midway through next year for 6 months to compete in the European circuit!
One of Ben’s biggest inspirations is his coach Nico Baudoin! Ben said “He is a very hard working and knowledgeable guy who has continually pushed me to reach my full potential as an athlete. His dedication to coaching and the sport has been very inspirational for me and he is always looking for ways to help me improve”. Just like Nico, we love offering epic opportunities for all our recipients and can’t do it without the support from our funders, especially @tectnz and Craigs Investment Partners! Craigs Investment Partners ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @netanasamia Born and raised in the beautiful Hawkes Bay, Napier. He now attends Tauranga Boys College and is Training/Playing with the Western Bay of Plenty Phoenix Club Men’s Team! A special place that holds immense significance for Tana is the Napier Boys High School gymnasium. It’s where many cherished memories were created alongside his late father, making it a source of inspiration and comfort.
Tana captained the Tauranga Boys College to victory at the School Nationals, where he also earned the tournament’s MVP award and most recently, being selected for the Volley Blacks Training Squad! These achievements have helped Tana to stay focused and motivated on his goals to one day have the opportunity to play Volleyball overseas in college or professionally!
Looking ahead, Tana envisions a future in coaching, refereeing, or managing—essentially anything that will keep him connected to the volleyball community.
Tana said “I applied to Adastra to help fund my sporting endeavours, It has helped alleviate financial burdens, as well as relieved stress from my mum who has been taking care of me alone for the past three years”. A massive thank you goes out to @tectnz and all our funders for their continuous support in our recipients journeys! ... See MoreSee Less
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