The West Auckland Living Skills Home (WALSH) Trust have awarded the 2025 Elaine Underwood Scholarships to three exceptional Unitec students at our Waitākere Campus.
This year’s recipients—New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) students Aaron Smith, Jayden Fong-Smith, and Justin Scheepers—each received a $1000 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to community health.
WALSH Trust Board Chair Gail Tonga and Chief Executive Will Ward joined staff and students for the presentation ceremony.
Programme Discipline Lead Dr Ali Rasheed welcomed guests and acknowledged the Trust’s long-standing commitment to supporting ākonga.
Since 2019, the Trust has provided annual scholarships, building on a partnership with Unitec that spans more than a decade.
The scholarships honour the legacy of Elaine Underwood, a prominent West Auckland advocate who co-founded the WALSH Trust in 1988.
Today, the organisation continues her mission by offering community-based mental health support, residential services, supported living, and employment and training opportunities across West Auckland.
Dr Rasheed congratulated the scholarship winners, emphasising the value of the support as students progress into further study or careers in the health and wellbeing sector.
“These scholarships make a significant difference. We wish our recipients every success, whether they choose to staircase into the Bachelor of Social Work or continue their learning in other pathways,” he said.
The NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) prepares students for a wide range of support roles through strands such as Advanced Care and Support, Disability Support, and Peer Support. The programme develops skills in person-centred care, leadership, cultural responsiveness and working with people with complex needs.
Around 40–50 students enrol in the year-long course each semester completing practical placements in mental health and addiction support services.
The WALSH Trust is among several partner organisations that offer these placements, which often lead directly to employment.
“Around 80 percent of our NZCHW graduates gain work with their placement provider,” Dr Rasheed noted.
The celebration concluded with a shared lunch, giving students and staff the chance to connect with WALSH Trust representatives and reflect on the opportunities created through this ongoing partnership.