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Tamati Parker STUDY AWARD RECIPIENT 2002 DIRECTOR, C3 CONSTRUCTION • TRUSTEE, KEYSTONE TRUST • SPONSOR • EMPLOYER

“My days started at Lytton High School in Gisborne and looking back I had no clue of what was to come. The most I knew about the construction sector was labouring for my Dad on a building site and I knew that wasn’t going to be for me.

“Fortunately, I had a great careers advisor, Craig Wilkie, who saw more potential in me than I probably saw in myself. I remember Craig saying to me “set your sights higher and make yourself some goals” I had been trying to escape from my situation back home with my parents splitting up when I was young and four younger siblings to look out for. My Nan was sick, so as the eldest son, I was packed off to look after her. I was a bit of a survivor, I was also pretty independent back then, taking off to Raglan or Dunedin and sleeping on couches was a pretty normal weekend.

“Anyhow Craig’s words stuck, and to my surprise I graduated from school as one of their top students. With Craig’s input I had filled out my Keystone scholarship application and this is when everything changed.

“The next I knew I was in Auckland, for the first time in my life, going up to a fancy office in the Sun Alliance building and meeting ten high-flyers, who were the Keystone selection panel. Mum had told me to always shake hands and I made sure I did. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, just super pumped at being there. When I returned to Gisborne, I got the call, I had the scholarship. Awesome!

“This is where the Keystone support system kicked in, uni days started at Wintec in Hamilton. With a strength for numbers I fell into Quantity Surveying. Then with the support of my mentors at Keystone came a move to Auckland, working as cadet for Multiplex, and finishing my studies at Unitec. I was always being told “You are capable of anything” and I found out I was. Keystone were right behind me all the way. Jumping to today, I am a director of C3 Construction, a firm I established with two other business colleagues. We are a growing construction company and I am now in a position to employ Keystone Trust alumni. We have just taken on a young quantity surveyor into the team who was a student back in 2016.”

Tamati is now a trustee on the Keystone Board of Trustees, and three years ago with his fellow directors established a school leaver scholarship.

“Looking back, I can see the difference Keystone made to my life, they inspired me to reach those goals I had set with Craig. I look up to all the students who went before me, and the people I have met through these networks are now some of my best mates. Its inspiring to see how the organisation has grown and now, it’s my turn to give back.”