Putting roots in the ground which will grow into something bigger for my future: BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship recipient Jazmine's story

Jazmine is a recipient of the BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship - awarded each year to three accounting students nationally to help grow the next generation of Māori accountants.

When Jazmine Murray was seven years old, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and told university might not be the right path for her. Rather than accepting that advice, she quietly made a decision that would shape her future. Today, she is studying a conjoint degree in Accounting and Law at the University of Waikato. 

Here she shares how her upcoming scholarship at BDO Northland will help her continue her journey to success. 
 

"I've always wanted to create opportunities not just for myself, but for others too."

Jazmine - scholarship recipient

I grew up in a small rural township in the Far North called Broadwood, surrounded by farming and a close-knit community. I attended the local area school for eight years, which had fewer than 110 students enrolled when I was there. 

My parents come from a farming background, and on my dad’s side, I'm the first person to go to university. Growing up in a small rural community meant that opportunities often felt limited, but it also taught me resilience, independence and the importance of giving back.

When I left home to attend Whangarei Girls High School as a boarder in 2018, this opened up new opportunities for me. It was there that an inspiring accounting teacher opened my eyes to a profession that, to be honest, I knew very little about beforehand. I knew my parents went to the accountant and that was about it. I really fell in love with accounting and realised that it's the basis to so many things. Every business, every organisation, every decision comes back to understanding the numbers and the operations. 



“I think the greatest strength that I’ve developed from my dyslexia is that I can identify issues and see solutions really quickly. I often think differently, and that has become an advantage.”

I'm now studying at Waikato University and doing a conjoint degree in Accounting and Law, so that I can work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant and registered Solicitor. While my education has taken me away from Northland, I’m really looking forward to returning home. 

"Geography should never determine your opportunities."

Our people shouldn’t be disadvantaged because they’re often more geographically isolated. It shouldn’t matter where you live, you should still be able to access the same opportunities. BDO is one of the few firms that has a strong presence in the regions and recognises that there’s life outside of the big cities. Small and rural-based clients are treated with great care at BDO, they are heard and cared for, which is what builds generational trust. 

“This scholarship gets you moving in the right direction. It connects you with people, opens doors and gives you opportunities that might otherwise take years to build.”

Receiving the scholarship has reinforced that I'm on the right path. It's much more than financial support, it's like putting some roots in the ground to hopefully blossom into something bigger for the future.  


About the BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship

The BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship aims to help address the underrepresentation of Māori within the accounting profession. It offers financial assistance, an internship or graduate opportunity with a BDO firm, registration to the Te Puna Tahua Toa hui, and mentorship with BDO. To find out more, click here.