The ability to cover his study costs, strive for a meaningful career in the retirement sector, and make his Grandma even more proud are all achievable for Kee’arn Ewart Pothoven thanks to a $15,000 scholarship he received this week.
The James Wattie Scholarship was set up by Ryman as part of its agreement with the Wattie family and is awarded to School of Business students at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) each year.
Kee’arn, who along with his brother Quade, was raised by his grandmother Rozane, was officially announced as the 2026 scholar at Ryman’s James Wattie Village in Havelock North.
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Ryman Chief Operating Officer Marsha Cadman said there were a number of outstanding qualities that stood out to her and to Village Manager Sally Garvan, who helped to choose Kee’arn from an outstanding shortlist.
“Sally was impressed by his commitment to mentoring younger students, his values, his heart, his integrity, and the fact he is the first person in his family to ever get a degree,” Marsha said.
“He has a clear goal of what he wants to do and while he is already doing an internship with our competitors down the road, we’re thrilled to support that ambition. Who knows? Maybe we'll even see him wearing a Ryman name badge one day!”
Describing how honoured he felt, Kee’arn thanked Ryman, the Wattie family, and also the team at EIT for guiding him through the Business Studies course with a major in management. He said how grateful he was for the support from his partner and family, particularly his Grandma.
“Everything I do is to make you proud of me and my brother,” he said to Rozane. “And I know you are proud, but I want to make it worthwhile, the time you’ve given us.”
He added: “I would not be standing here if it wasn’t for each and all of you.”
Kee’arn said he was determined to stay in the region he loved, close to his family, with his part time internship at another retirement village inspiring him to build a career in the sector.
“Aged care is a great industry and an industry I’ve fallen in love with. Seeing firsthand the difference good leadership and good management can do to someone’s care and the relationships you can build with residents to live a better and meaningful last part of your life is so cool.”
Kee’arn’s Grandma, Rozane Duncan, admitted she was ‘bursting with pride’ when she heard her grandson had been chosen as the scholarship recipient.
She commended his determination to carve out a different life for himself, after an unstable first 10 years of life.
“He’s got an amazing attitude. He’s a good mentor to his brother. He’s committed, driven, mature and he has vision too,” she said.
“From my point of view as a Grandma, he’s caring, considerate and loyal. I’m pretty biased though, I love him to bits!”
Head of the School of Business, Dr Gareth Allison, said Kee’arn was an impressive candidate, combining academic success with community service plus significant responsibilities outside the classroom, responsibilities which he had used as a source of motivation and purpose.
“Kee’arn has shown persistence, discipline, and a commitment to excellence,” Dr Allison said.
“Particularly noteworthy is his emerging interest in the retirement sector, which has strengthened a desire to build a career centred on service, wellbeing, dignity, and respect for others, while remaining in Hawke’s Bay and contributing to the region’s future.
Last year’s scholarship recipient, James McKinley-Blake, returned to update everyone on his past year and how the extra financial support had given him the freedom to focus on completing his studies while providing him with a stronger foundation to pursue other business ideas.
He had also moved into a fulltime role from his internship at digital marketing agency Fizzy Pop and was loving every minute.
To Kee’arn, he offered some wise words of advice: “I want you to make the most of it. Make the most of the opportunities that come your way, make the most of the people you meet, and make the most of the time you have left studying.
“You don’t have to know exactly where everything is going to lead, but the last thing you want is to look back and wish you’d said yes to an opportunity when you had the chance to do so.”