You see tourists everywhere so focused on taking selfies that they forget to truly absorb the scenery in front of them. They get home and the photo is mostly of themselves, not the breathtaking view they travelled so far to see.
How can they possibly remember the intensity of that moment?
Ed Sheeran puts it simply in a new song:
I don’t need a camera to capture this moment.
I’ll remember how you look tonight for all my life.
If you truly focus on a moment, if you’re present and engaged, you don’t forget how it felt.
I want you to think about your school year in the same way. Too many students take a “selfie approach” to learning, a quick dip of the toe, a fleeting glance, just enough effort to say they were there. But ask yourselves:
Are you diving into the depths, or just touching the surface? Are you immersed in the learning, or simply snapping a moment and moving on?
Students who are motivated to succeed and who strive to do the best they can in and out of the classroom will inevitably have much richer memories of their school days but more importantly will have a richer tapestry of life experiences as a result. Because like it or not a good education opens opportunities outside of school. If you are mature enough to realise this then you will know a selfie is not enough.
I know there are barriers for everyone but some New Zealanders have not only been able to overcome these barriers but look deeply at the reality and strive to improve it.
Sophie Pascoe, who lost her leg at age two, became our most decorated Paralympian and a Dame Companion for her services to swimming.
Georgina Beyer, who experienced homelessness and huge personal challenges, became the world’s first openly transgender mayor and MP.
Dave Letele, raised amid financial struggle and crime, founded Brown Buttabean Motivation and now inspires thousands toward better health.
Jess Collins, once unsure of her own worth, became a powerful advocate for Māori mental health and youth suicide prevention, earning the Prime Minister’s Exemplar Award.
None of these people skimmed the surface. They didn’t settle for a selfie. They immersed themselves in life. They chose depth.
So when you look back at the mental photo album of 2025, what will you see? Pride? Growth? Contribution? Or moments you rushed through without really being there?
We don’t always know what challenges each of us faces. But I do know that every student receiving an award today did so because, despite obstacles, they chose to dive in. And I know many others sitting here also gave this year their absolute best and your kaiako and whānau are incredibly proud of you. That pride is the most meaningful accolade of all.
As we move toward 2026, I challenge every one of you:
Stop taking selfies of your learning. Start diving in. Start being present. Start creating moments worth remembering for life.
