Xanthe Wainui-Mackle

After finishing high school, Xanthe Wainui-Mackle (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe and Te Arawa) knew exactly what she wanted when choosing a university: somewhere close to her support network, but with room to grow and gain independence. 

The University of Waikato ticked both boxes for Xanthe, and receiving a Te Paewai o te Rangi Scholarship for academic achievement sealed the deal. The only question was, what should she study? 

“The variety of careers and opportunities that you can get from the Bachelor of Communication inspired me and; coming from a creative background; I appreciated the opportunity to continue storytelling through different mediums. The degree is a great combination of both the creative and strategic sides of communications.” 

Majoring in Public Relations and Marketing, Xanthe says a highlight of her time at Waikato was the opportunity to work with external clients and deliver projects to a brief. 

Now confidently pitching to clients in her new role as an account executive at King St Advertising, a Hamilton-based agency, she finds several parallels between her work and the Bachelor of Communication. 

“Even if you’re not necessarily thinking about frameworks or theories in your role, when you’re building a strategy for clients or considering objectives at the start of a campaign, the basics are there because all your assignments are centred around what you’ll be doing in the workforce.” 

Tutoring in her final year and becoming involved with the Māori management students' club Te Ranga Ngakau gave Xanthe - a self-confessed "people person" - a solid network throughout university.

She specifically calls out the Scholarships team for their support. “It was great to know I had the team there in my corner if I needed them.” 

When asked what her advice to future students would be, her answer is simple. 

“Build and maintain your network from the beginning. Even if it’s making connections with your tutors and lecturers, those people skills are so important. And your lecturers are always there to help.”