Starting over through study: solo mum inspires at Ara graduation

_{Lani Pitcher congratulated by Ara Council chair Hugh Lindo}

Raised in the small Taranaki town of Eltham, Lani Pitcher travelled to Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2023 with her baby son Grayson - a 20-year-old single mum looking for new horizons.

Three years on she was chosen to lead Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Autumn Graduation cohort, with a kete full of qualifications, leadership experience and a clear purpose to serve the rohe (region) that raised her.

Pitcher has always had a strong pull to the service sector, applying for police college after a stint at the meat works just out of school.  A health condition meant she was unable to pursue that dream, so she turned to nutrition, inspired by high school teachers in food technology and home economics.

“I didn’t have chemistry from school, so I applied to Ara to do my Pre-Health study online. I studied full time in my third trimester and completed my exams two weeks after Grayson was born.  That meant I was set to start my Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Nutrition) at Ara the following year.”

Pitcher didn’t just complete her degree - she immersed herself in life on campus and beyond. She became a student ambassador, a member of the student council and took advanced papers in Māori and indigenous health. She won Ara’s top Eke Panuku award for whānau transformation through education and studied ambulance practice, too.

_{Lani was a supreme Eke Panuku award winner in 2024 and a guest speaker at the event in 2025}

“Being pregnant at 19, I was determined to throw off the assumption I’d be destined to live off a benefit and never make anything of my life. Studying at Ara and being part of the community here, coupled with inheriting my mum’s talent for organisation, meant I’ve not looked back.”

For part of her industry practicum, Pitcher interned with Ara’s Student Life team helping to run “Wellbeing Wednesdays” with events such as CPR courses, clothes swaps, granola-making sessions and art activities. She also trained in breastfeeding counselling and worked in pulmonary rehabilitation and Māori health - areas where, she says, “theory became real people and real stories”.

Her drive to succeed is strong.  “My belief is that growth doesn’t come from doing only what’s required. Growth comes from saying yes to the opportunities that stretch you, and that challenge you,” she said.

Studying while Grayson was small had been “the best thing” and she praised Ara’s on-campus childcare options including one grounded in Māoritanga.

On Friday, both mother and son graduated, and then immediately made the drive home to Eltham.

“I’ve met great people along the way at Ara but I’m really excited to go back and serve my community. – That was always going to be a huge thing for me. I’m looking forward to my new job and also helping out at E-Town supporting youth with nutrition, budgeting and healthy eating.”

From late March she’ll be working full time at Hato Hone St John where she’s already been asked to develop clinical material on nutrition and wellbeing for shift workers.

“I’m keen to support them to steer clear of that pie and energy drink after a long shift” she laughed. “But seriously, there are so many crossovers between my study and ambulance work. Knowing how nutrition can impact the sort of health issues I know I’ll see every day will be a real asset.”

“I’ve always believed food is more than fuel. It’s nourishment, it’s prevention, it’s healing, it’s dignity, it’s longevity,” she said.

_{Lani with her whānau at graduation including mum Lisa, dad Haydan and son Grayson (also pictured at his own pre school graduation)} 

Before she left Christchurch, Pitcher was chosen to lead the student cohort at the first of two Ara Autumn graduations on Friday.

She shared the whakataukī: “Ko au te taupa, kihai i puāwai ōku moemoea - I am the only boundary to the fruition of my dreams.”

“This reminds me that the biggest barrier wasn’t my circumstances - it was the voice in my head echoing the voices of society telling me I wasn’t enough to succeed.”

She encourages others to embrace discomfort and possibility.

“When you grow up in a small town, leaving can be the best thing. Seeking out a new community, new environment and new people has given me so many opportunities.  It’s cool that I can now bring these skills and qualifications back to my hometown.”

“I want to be part of a future where people have education, accessibility and autonomy over their own hauora - not as a privilege, but as a right.”