Hope Fish was created within the Stretton Foundation, in direct response to the overwhelming number of women, both young and older, whose lives could be transformed through access to education. Time and time again, I encountered women whose potential had been overlooked or diminished, and I knew that with the right support, education could be the turning point, the key to building self-worth, confidence, and ultimately, self-determination.

Hope Fish was born from that belief, that education isn’t just about gaining a qualification, it’s about igniting a sense of purpose and possibility. It’s about giving women the tools to take control of their own narratives and rewrite their futures. I’ve always said, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. But teach a woman to fish, and everyone eats for a lifetime.” That idea is at the heart of everything we do.

Through Hope Fish and the Stretton Foundation, we offer small but powerful educational grants that support each woman as she steps into her potential. We’re not interested in handouts. Hope Fish is about hand-ups. We walk alongside these women, helping them find their voice, their confidence, and their place in the world.

Hope Fish is also deeply rooted in a respect for Te Ao Māori and the diverse cultural backgrounds of the women we support. Every woman’s journey is unique, and we honour that by ensuring the support we provide is inclusive, empowering, and meaningful.

This initiative is about more than access to study, it’s about restoring dignity, building independence, and ultimately helping women change not just their own lives, but the lives of those around them. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve witnessed the shift when a woman is given belief, backing, and a real opportunity.

Hope Fish is my commitment to continuing that work. It’s a movement of empowerment, born from compassion and driven by a deep desire to see every woman succeed.

To learn more or support the mahi, visit: www.hopefish.org.nz