Beatrice Faumuinā: Championing future leaders

Sporting legend Beatrice Faumuinā CNZM is bringing her "magic sauce" to Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, as the new director of the Kupe Leadership Scholarship, an elite programme dedicated to developing exceptional leaders.

Beatrice knows first-hand the difference a scholarship can make.

The Olympian and former diplomat has benefited from several scholarships throughout her life. Now she’s helping shape the next generation of leaders through the Kupe Leadership Scholarship.

As a student and sportsperson, Beatrice was curious about what made successful people successful.

"Back then as a teenager I thought, 'What do I ask this business leader who knows so much?' As an athlete, you're often asked, 'What makes you tick?', so I asked, 'What's your magic sauce?'"

Over the years, she’s developed her own magic sauce: family, faith and acts of kindness. These elements sit alongside the discipline, resilience and leadership skills she’s built through sport, business and governance.

She’s bringing this mix to the Kupe Leadership Scholarship programme, where she’ll help shape its strategic direction, strengthen its national and international profile, and support exceptional postgraduate leaders from across the University.

Hosted by the Business School, the Kupe Leadership Scholarship is a multidisciplinary, year-long programme that combines financial support with intensive leadership development.

Scholars are paired with a mentor and gain access to unique learning experiences with political, business and community leaders. After completing the programme, they join the Kupe alumni network, a growing community of leaders making an impact across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

"Having a business mentor say, 'Beatrice, are you figuring out life after sport?' — that was significant."

Inspiring the Next Generation

Beatrice has worked extensively as a speaker over the past few years, regularly talking to school and university students about her sporting career and her life afterwards.

"I've often heard, 'If I don't see myself in that space, then it's not for me. If no one looks or sounds like me, I'm not welcome there.'"

"I've spent years encouraging young people not to let barriers define whether they belong."

"I ask them instead to create opportunities to be in those spaces. I tell them, 'Because of your culture, language, and who you represent, it's vital that you're in those rooms, whatever your aspirations are. Instead of saying, "They don't look or sound like me", that might be exactly why you need to be there.'"

The idea of helping future leaders broaden their horizons was one of the appeals of the role.

"It was exciting to see a role of this nature being advertised," says Beatrice.

"Kupe offers not just a scholarship, but also a way of defining what Aotearoa's leadership will look like moving forward. That's exciting to take on as a mission, because when we talk about Aotearoa, we talk about a country that's multi-ethnic and multi-generational, and here's a programme that aims to do the same, reflecting where we are now, while also looking to the future."

Grounded in Leadership and Culture

The leadership scholarship is named after the great Pacific navigator Kupe, who is credited with discovering and naming Aotearoa. It’s grounded in tikanga-informed practice and shaped by engagement with cultural leaders, donors, alumni, partners and mentors across the country.

Beatrice has had many influential mentors throughout her life and has mentored athletes and young people interested in business. She says the best mentors are willing to challenge and expand your thinking.

"When they can share the pros, the cons and what they learned, it allows you to think bigger instead of only looking for an insular solution. You start to see that there are multiple ways to approach things."

Many of her mentors over the years have been business leaders and entrepreneurs outside the sporting arena.

"As an athlete, you discover resilience from a coaching perspective, but having a business mentor say, 'Beatrice, are you figuring out life after sport?' — that was significant. They took the time to understand how I was thinking and how I might apply that to life beyond sport."

For Beatrice, who was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, leadership is about honesty, service, humility and follow-through.

"I want Kupe scholars to leave with the confidence to lead globally while staying grounded in who they are."

Looking Ahead

Professor Carla Houkamau, the Business School's interim dean, says throughout her career, Beatrice has demonstrated a deep commitment to developing people, championing opportunity, and creating positive outcomes for communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

"Beatrice's appointment marks an exciting new phase. We're thrilled that she's agreed to lead the Kupe Leadership Scholarship into its next chapter."

David Downs, Chair of the Kupe Leadership Scholarship, says it’s wonderful to see a leader of Beatrice's calibre join the programme.

"Beatrice understands what elite performance looks like. We're really excited to have her help navigate the Kupe Leadership Scholarship to its next phase of impact for New Zealand."