16/06/2026
I'm honoured to have been featured by NZTC following my graduation and to have received the NZTC Values Award.
Returning to Aotearoa with my daughter and starting again wasn't always easy, but this journey reminded me that growth often happens when we step into the unknown and keep moving forward one step at a time.
The values recognised in this award—empathy, authenticity, and resilience—are also at the heart of my work supporting emotional wellbeing through Neuro Emotional Integration (NEI).
A qualification may mark the end of one chapter, but it's also the beginning of what we choose to do with what we've learned.
Thank you, NZTC, for sharing my story. 💜
“Because this ‘piece of paper’… is really just the beginning.” ✨
After returning to Aotearoa with her daughter and rebuilding life from the ground up, Nicola Helmink stood on stage as NZTC’s student speaker at last Saturday’s graduation ceremony (30 May), representing a cohort shaped by resilience, courage and growth.
During the ceremony, Nicola was also surprised with the NZTC Values Award, recognising the empathy, authenticity and resilience she demonstrated throughout her journey.
Her story is a beautiful reminder that graduation is about more than completing a qualification. It’s about the decisions, sacrifices and moments of growth that shape who we become along the way. 💜
Read Nicola’s inspiring story here: https://www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz/early-childhood-education-profiles/more-than-a-qualification-nicola-helmink-reflects-on-representing-her-cohort-at-nztc-graduation