Angela Jayson
Master of Applied Finance
Gawen Noronha
With his knack for numbers, Gawen Noronha studied Waikato’s Master of Applied Finance to kickstart his career in corporate finance and banking.
Customer Service Banker at BNZ, Hamilton
Mumbai, India
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Numbers have always added up to success in Gawen Noronha’s family — his mum works in banking, and his brother is an accountant — so it’s no surprise he’s followed a similar path.
With his sharp analytical mind and interest in business, Gawen chose to study a Master of Applied Finance at the University of Waikato.
“I have a strong liking for numbers and how things work in the financial world. I also really enjoy working with people and thinking outside the box to solve problems,” he says.
Originally from India, Gawen first visited Waikato when his older brother graduated with a Master of Professional Accounting — and the experience left a lasting impression.
“The University had a real charm to it,” he recalls. “I wanted something fast and focused, and the Master of Applied Finance being a one-year programme really appealed to me.”
Already a graduate of the University of Mumbai, Gawen was ready to take his skills to the next level. “The course gave us such a good mix of finance and decision-making, covering markets in New Zealand and around the world. There was also a really interesting paper on economics – that was my best one, as I got an A+.”
Keen to make the most of his time in New Zealand, Gawen threw himself into student life, and he encourages others to do the same.
“I joined the Catholic club, Indian club, football club, and the Māori club. I wanted to learn a little bit more about the Māori culture – it's such a beautiful tradition, and you learn so much from it. The people are warm, and it’s just a very beautiful culture.”
Since graduating, Gawen is excited to put his new finance qualification to use. He recently started a role as a Customer Service Banker at BNZ in Hamilton, and is enjoying a rewarding career where he can combine his love of numbers with his people skills.
“I'm really chatty – I enjoy talking to people, and I think banks are really the best place to be. They usually advise on financial decisions, but there’s also opportunities in asset management, and accounting firms.”
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