Ethan Rendall

For Ethan Rendall (Tainui, Ngāti Pāoa), choosing to study at the University of Waikato was an easy decision. Growing up in Ngāruawāhia and attending Hamilton Boys' High School, the Waikato campus was close to home - and packed with opportunities.

“It was a no-brainer, it just made sense," says Ethan. "I could live at home, save money, and still get a great education,” he says.

“Coming to Waikato wasn’t just about the degree — it was about meeting new people, working with other young professionals, and preparing for the workforce.”

Ethan graduated with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Finance. He now works as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at PwC in Hamilton — a role he first set his sights on during his BBus degree.

During his studies, Ethan secured a three-month internship at PwC New Zealand as part of his degree, and was then offered a graduate role in the Financial Advisory Services (FAS) department in PwC Hamilton.

Ethan also received the Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Scholarship, awarded by the Waikato Regional Council and Waikato-Tainui to support Māori students undertaking full-time undergraduate study.

“This scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies, rather than worrying about finances. It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m really grateful,” says Ethan.

Reflecting on his time at university, Ethan says studying through the Covid-19 years certainly had its challenges — like navigating online learning with an unreliable Wi-Fi connection at home.

“Networking over Zoom was pretty difficult, and I couldn't rely on my dodgy internet either, so I definitely had a few internet nightmares along the way — including getting cut off mid-exam once! Thankfully, the University was very understanding and supportive, and it never affected my grades,” he says.

But there were some advantages too. Ethan says the flexibility of online study gave him more time for life outside university, such as working part-time for his family's business, Huntly Joinery 2000 Ltd, and representing New Zealand in clay target shooting.

Looking back, Ethan credits Waikato with giving him the foundation and confidence to launch a successful career. "My Bachelor of Business really set me up for where I am now,” he says. “It’s amazing how many doors this degree can open.”