Pro-invest Group has partnered with Sione Faumuina to celebrate the launch of the Rise Scholarship to elevate tourism and hospitality.
Following the recent announcement of the RISE Scholarship with the AUT Foundation, Pro-invest Group invites industry, partners, and supporters to celebrate the official launch of the program at the inaugural fundraising lunch while hearing an inspiring address from guest speaker, former NRL player and community advocate Sione Faumuina.
The event will take place on Monday, 24 November 2025, from 11:30am to 2:30pm at Bar Albert, Level 38 of voco Auckland City Centre. Tickets are NZD 80 per person and includes a buffet-style lunch with all proceeds directly supporting the RISE Scholarship fund to help young New Zealanders pursue education and careers in hospitality and tourism.
“We're thrilled to bring the RISE Scholarship with AUT Foundation to life with this special event," said Jason Sabin, Portfolio General Manager at Pro-invest Hotels NZ.
"This is an opportunity for our industry community to come together, celebrate this important initiative, and directly contribute to creating opportunities for the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals. We encourage everyone who believes in nurturing young talent to join us.”
The event will also feature a NZD 10 raffle with exciting travel and dining prizes, plus valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders, educators, and scholarship supporters. Attendees will learn more about how the RISE Scholarship will support hospitality and tourism students and make a tangible difference in their educational journeys. Every ticket purchased and raffle entry will directly support scholarships for talented students who are passionate about building careers in New Zealand's hospitality and tourism sector.
The Pro-invest Group RISE (Reaching for Inclusion through Scholarships and Experiences) Hospitality & Tourism Scholarship is an annual NZD 5,000 award designed to support young New Zealanders aged 18 to 20 who are passionate about hospitality and tourism but face financial barriers to accessing education at AUT. Beyond financial support, RISE recipients gain access to mentorship opportunities with Pro-invest Group hotel executives, potential work experience, internships, and part-time employment during their studies, with the possibility of full-time positions upon graduation at Pro-invest Group's New Zealand hotels including voco Auckland City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown, or even opportunities at the Group's international properties. The scholarship is available to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents enrolled full-time in AUT's hospitality and tourism programmes, supporting 12 months of study for students beginning Semester One.
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