Taurus Tumoana

Six years ago, Taurus Tumoana was placed with respite foster carer Lucy MacLeod. The arrangement was meant to be short-term, but Taurus asked to stay. Lucy said yes, and Taurus’s life trajectory changed.

Taurus is now a St Patrick's School House Captain, Kapa Haka Kaitātaki Tāne, and Hi-Tech scholar. A teenager who had never thought about attending university is now considering a degree in design or law.

Taurus has talent, ambition and now, belief in himself. Along with Lucy, a religious studies teacher at St Patrick's College, Taurus has been inspired by other teachers: Brothers Mike and Peter Woods, his careers advisor and tutor respectively, and Ian McFadyen, his Māori teacher. ”What changed for me was the fact I had people around me who told me I could do this stuff,” says Taurus. “Like my teacher, who looked at my subjects and saw how I got high marks in English. So he told me I could qualify to do law.”

When Taurus was named as one of the Hi-Tech Trust scholars, he was thrilled - but also relieved. “It feels good to know there is a programme and a mentor to support me. No one in my family has gone to university - I would be the first. It makes you feel like the man.

Like you’re building a legacy.” Taurus is exploring courses such as Waikato University’s Bachelor in Communication Design with a minor in Māori. He’s still undecided, however, as he learns more about his own talents and skills.

Whatever future he chooses, Taurus has already proven that a difficult start doesn’t define your future. And that it only takes one person - someone like his foster mum Lucy - to change everything.