So much so, the Kaikorai Valley College head girl has dedicated her life to humanitarian work.
‘‘It left an imprint on my life and I learnt at a very early age not to take anything for granted. I realised how wealthy I am living here in New Zealand.''
Since then, Rosie has ventured out on her own and joined a Teen Missions International team, travelling to Thailand to build an extension to a multipurpose complex which is used to house, educate and give health care to 200 children from the Akha hill tribe.
She says the experience was the greatest defining moment in her life so far.
‘‘The children were incredible in their example of giving what little they had and finding happiness in the smallest of things.
It fuelled my passion to make a difference in the world, and confirmed that I want to spend my lifetime serving people in poverty.''
Rosie is now a leader in humanitarian work in Dunedin.
This year she became a student leader in the 40-Hour Famine and attended a World Vision training camp.
She is also an active Christian in the Dunedin Elim Christian Centre where she has been a role model and youth leader to children since she was 10.
This has overflowed into her school life, where she is a board of trustees student representative, a peer support leader and a Christian Group student leader.
Rosie excels in the classroom, having gained NCEA level 1 and 2 endorsed with excellence, and hopes to continue her academic success at the University of Otago when she studies social anthropology, human geography and development studies next year.
‘‘I hope these subjects will give me the knowledge to run and oversee community development projects in Third World countries.''
Achievements: Head girl (2009); NCEA level 1 and 2 endorsed with excellence; peer support leader, 40Hour Famine leader; BOT student representative (2009); Christian Group leader, choir student leader; Stage Challenge, school production, Wearable Arts and The Big Sing (200709); Otago Model United Nations Assembly.
Role model: ‘‘Mother Teresa, and Brooke Fraser for her contribution to World Vision.''
Hopes for the future: ‘‘To serve people in poverty.''