Graduating last week with a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (mental health and addiction) at Caroline Bay Hall, Miss Smith-Allan received a rowdy ovation from family and loved ones as she crossed the stage.
Miss Smith-Allan was upfront about her struggles as a young person and the disconnect with school which saw her leave at 16 years old.
But, after starting study at Ara last year, she said she found a new voice, her confidence and a positive direction.
Her ultimate aim now is to help others do the same.
"The course gave me so much more than I expected — not just the knowledge to succeed in my assignments, but a real understanding of my own journey and where I want to go."
Janaya chose her study path after childhood years witnessing loved ones in need of support.
"Those early experiences shaped me, and I’m incredibly proud of the strength and mana my whānau and I have built since then. We’ve grown so much closer, and that means everything."
"With more confidence behind me, I’m determined to continue to study social work at Ara in Christchurch so I can be the voice for young people who are still finding theirs."
Miss Smith-Allan credited her qualification, and work experience at Age Concern while studying, for helping her secure a rewarding role with Presbyterian Support South Canterbury.
"Study counts for experience when you’re looking for work. I know I would not have gotten this role without it. Having a Level 4 certificate showed that I was ready."
She said her work in one of the local residences was varied and very fulfilling.
"The people are just amazing, and I love the social connection with them.
"I’m involved with everything to do with their care, and they’re really rewarding to work with," she said.
Spanning almost 30 different programmes of study, Ara’s 2026 Timaru graduation cohort included 274 certificate qualifications (Level 1-4), 16 Level 5 diplomas, 18 degrees and a masters in health practice.
Miss Smith-Allan said the Ara learning environment was entirely different from secondary school.
"Sometimes I’d stress myself out that I wasn’t good enough and then I’d get good marks back. It taught me that a lot of my struggles were on the self-belief side — not the academic side."
"Whenever I got stuck or confused my kaiako [teacher] got alongside me and made sure I understood it fully. Our whole class was like that — we all made sure we worked at the same pace, so no-one ever got left behind." — Allied Media
