For more than 20 years, one of our most valued initiatives has been the FMT Youth Sponsorship Grant

Each year, we support young New Zealanders aged 16–25 who are excelling in sport or the arts but face financial barriers to pursuing their dreams.

Too often, the biggest barrier for young New Zealanders is not talent, hard work, or discipline. It is money. The costs of travel, competition, and training can put dreams out of reach, especially without the support of family wealth.

That is why this year we expanded the sponsorship. Four grants instead of one, and we increased the sponsorship value.

Meet our 2025 recipients

Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis – Singer/Songwriter (Main Recipient 16-19 age category)

Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis, also known as Imani-J. At just 17, Alyahna is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who performs in English, Te Reo Maori, and French.

She has just released her debut EP ‘Expectations’. She has also been selected for Prodigy Camp in Seattle and the APRA mentoring programme with kiwi music legend, Tiki Taane.

What makes Alyahna stand out is not just her talent, but her honesty and ambition. She writes with emotional depth and inspires others to believe in what is possible.

“I want to extend a huge thank you to FMT for your support. It’s truly incredible, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to follow my dreams.

Singing has become my way of expressing myself and has given me a real sense of purpose. If I can make a difference in people’s lives through my music, then I’ve achieved my goal. I have big ambitions and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”

We are proud to support her journey as she continues to represent New Zealand on both national and international stages.

Ariel Muchirahondo – Swimmer (Runner up 16-19 age category)

At just 17 years old, Ariel Muchirahondo already holds 18 national age-group records across 14 events, along with around 80 Bay of Plenty records.

He also broke swimming legend Danyon Loader’s 33-year New Zealand record – a remarkable achievement that confirms he is already competing at an elite level. With his sights set on the 2026 Junior Youth Olympics and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Ariel’s discipline, talent, and record-breaking determination mark him as a true star of tomorrow.

Olive Pearce – Surf Life Saving (Main recipient 20-25 age category)

Olive Pearce is an example of balance, resilience, and excellence. At 23, she is competing at the highest levels in both Surf Life Saving and Canoe Sprint, while also studying medicine at the University of Otago.

Her commitment to service is evident not only in her sporting achievements but also in her 10 years as a volunteer lifeguard with the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service. A national champion in swimming and surf lifesaving, Olive has earned more than 40 national medals across her career. Her consistency, versatility, and leadership make her a role model both in and out of the water.

“The support will help cover competition costs — including entry fees, accommodation, and travel. It will go a long way, and I’m truly grateful. Thank you to First Mortgage Trust for your generosity and for investing in me.”

We are proud to support Olive as she continues to pursue excellence in sport and service.

Hadley Beech – Inline Skating (Runner Up – 20-25 age category)

Hadley Beech is a New Zealand inline speed skater, a sport that demands both persistence and precision. He first represented New Zealand at the Oceania Championships at age 15, and a year later made his debut at the World Championships. Since then, his career has flourished, with more than 100 national medals across every grade from age 10 through to senior level.

In 2025, Hadley will represent New Zealand at the World Championships in China. His long-term goal is to break into the world’s top 20, then the top 10, and ultimately become a world champion.

Beyond racing, Hadley is committed to growing the sport. He coaches high-performance athletes, has developed learn-to-skate programmes, and applies his academic expertise to support athletes at all levels.