Pukekohe Scholarship

Keira Richards wins $12,000 PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe Scholarship

November 2026

Keira Richards from Pukekohe High School has won the 2026 PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe Scholarship. The 18-year-old will put the $12,000 scholarship fund towards studying a Bachelor of Science at Auckland University majoring in Ecology, Biodiversity and Evolution.

Keira is a part of the Pukekohe High School Leo’s Club, the Duke of Edinburgh Programme, the school Tramping Club and the Scouting Pukekohe Venturers.

In addition to working part time and maintaining a strong academic record, Keira is a member of the award-winning Pukekohe High School Concert band where she plays flute. She also has roles as a peer support leader and holds a position on the Arts and Culture Council.

Keira who has been inspired to pursue her chosen field by Sir David Attenborough was surprised to find out she had won saying; “Oh my God, thank you that is amazing. I just want to say thank you to my family, friends and teachers who have supported me during my school years. I just can’t believe this, it is amazing. Very importantly, I also want to say a big thank you to PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe.”

Rayner Bonnington, who took over as owner of PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe this week and has chosen to continue funding the scholarship said, “It has been an exciting week, meeting the welcoming staff and shoppers. My wife Lynn and I were delighted to be able to carry on the scholarship, which we know has become such an important part of the store’s history.” 

“It was a real privilege to interview some of Franklin’s impressive young adults. Their community focus and drive are outstanding and will serve them well as they further their education, said the former member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and trained Chef.”

Six finalists were shortlisted and interviewed from Pukekohe High School, Waiuku College and Onewhero Area School.

Previous winners of the Scholarship programme which has been running for fifteen years include: Sky Jenkins and Tyler Gillibrand from Tuakau College, Tristan Ah-Sui and TJ Ah-Sui from Wesley College, Jemimah Elley from Onewhero, Alex Coleman-Chaiman, Hayley and Abby Thomas, Grace Wilcox and Zac Butters from Pukekohe, Alice Ward-Allen from Mauku, Mau Minhinnick and Dominic Melchers from Pokeno, Nivesh Nitendra and Adam Moss from Waiuku and Doctor Hannah Gill from Pukekohe. The recipients have studied a wide range of topics including engineering, law, arts, science, business, environmental studies, medicine, law, and paramedicine.

Kiera Richards was selected as the winner by the Scholarship Committee made up of former Franklin Mayor, Mark Ball; local icon Surinder Edwards and Scholarship Manager Kylie Devlin Sousa and PAK’nSAVE owner Rayner Bonnington.

The PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe financial hardship Scholarship programme is open to Year 13 Students that have attended Onewhero Area School, Tuakau College, Pukekohe High School, Pukekohe Christian School, Waiuku College, Wesley College and ACG Strathallan College for five years, to study any course they wish to. Further details on the 2027 Scholarship will be available on the PAK’ n SAVE facebook page in September with applications available in store at the same time and applications closing in October with interviews held prior to the commencement of NCEA exams.

PAK’nSAVE Scholarship winner Keira Richards with PAK’ nSAVE owner Rayner Bonnington, Surinder Edwards and Mark Ball.