Māruawai College

Anna Aynsley

One of Southland’s finest on the hockey turf, Anna Aynsley is hoping to bring her resilience and hard work to a new field — one where she can help others who are the same as her.The Māruawai College Wellbeing prefect is a standout player in every sense of the word, having competed, led, and coached throughout the years.

No stranger to representing the region, Anna was the vice-captain of the Southland under-18 hockey side when they competed at the nationals in July last year.

She says her success on the turf can be attributed to not only Vince Aynsley, her father and role model, who helps coach and give her feedback, but also to a healthy competitive mindset.

"It’s the determination to be good, to not necessarily be better than everyone else.

"Because when you play against people at such a high level, you aspire to be as good as them," she says.

Off the court, Anna’s experience after being diagnosed as a type-1 diabetic has guided her towards a new goal — to become a nurse practitioner like the one who treats her.

She says as someone who has been through the journey, she can relate to the kids and teenagers, "which would play a big role, as I feel like that’s what I missed from my doctors".

"They don’t get you on that personal level, because they obviously don’t have it, and I feel like that’s something I would have appreciated," she says.

This career also appeals to her sense of independence, where Anna values control over her decisions, envisioning a future where she runs her own practice.

The future is very bright, and Anna will be heading out with determination, resilience and experience, her proudest moments coming from the difficult times.

"It’s just perserverance through all the challenges I’ve been through, in not letting it define who I am."

Achievements

Wellbeing prefect (2025); prefect variety concert (2025); Student Volunteer Army (2021-25); SADD committee (2025); Anzac Day service (2025); hockey coaching 2021-25); NCEA level 2 merit endorsed (2024); kapa haka (2024); vice captain of the Southland U18 hockey team (2024); Gore Cultural Festival (2024); Southland U15 hockey (2023, 2024); NCEA level 1 excellence endorsed (2023); academic blue for hockey (2023); captain of the Southland U15 hockey team (2023).

Role Model

Vince Aynsley (father).

Hopes for the Future

To be a nurse and help children just like me.

Cynthia Mwangi

Excelling as a leader and a high achiever, Cynthia Mwangi is heading out into the world with hopes of helping others achieve the same success she had.

A community spirit has clearly driven her through her time at Māruawai College, with the deputy head girl juggling multiple voluntary, leadership, and culture roles alongside academics.

She spent three years as a councillor on the Gore Youth Council, was a part of the Gore International Connect Group, made large contributions to the Hokonui Culture Festival, and was a leader at Camp Columba.

Cynthia feels that if she can do something, and is able to, she will.

"I think I just have the time, and so I might as well put it towards something beneficial," she says.

Her motivation is not only drawn from her parents’ perseverance, but also from what she loves most about Kenya, where she originally hails from.

"Everyone’s kind, everyone knows each other. If one person’s struggling, everyone is there to help, even if they have their own issues," she says.

Cynthia will be heading to university to study a combined degree of science and commerce, both subjects she has excelled at. She was first in class for levels one and two in accounting, which has given her a pathway to a career in accountancy.

Cynthia was also selected for the Otago University Advanced School Science Academy, which aims to drive passionate and high-achieving students from rural schools to excel in their final year.

It is not just about the numbers, as although Cynthia has continued to excel when following her passions, she won’t give up helping others.

In the future, Cynthia hopes while she works as an accountant, she will be able to continue to help others see the world as she has — with the goal to help young people travel, experience, and learn.

"It’s about giving someone the same opportunity that I had," she says.

Achievements

Otago University Advanced School Science Academy (OUASSA) (2025); school kapa haka (2021-25); deputy head girl (2025); head of student council (2023-24); Gore youth council (2021-24); Hokonui cultural festival (2023-24); 290 student army hours; first equal in NCEA history level 2 (2024); first in NCEA level 1 and 2 accounting (2023, 2024); Gore international connect group.