College wins double at NZCETA Pursuits Competition

Saint Kentigern College students have once again proven their business acumen, taking top honours in both the Accounting and Business categories at the 2025 NZCETA Auckland Pursuits Competition, held at the University of Auckland.

Run by the New Zealand Commerce and Economics Teachers Association (NZCETA) and sponsored by the University of Auckland, the annual competition draws more than 130 students from across the region. Participants compete in seven rounds of quiz-style questions covering NCEA Achievement Standards in Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics.

The College’s Accounting team consisting of Andersen Chen, Jack Doherty, Saif Ebrahim, Noah Farman, and Blake McKinnon fought back from an early deficit to edge out Mount Albert Grammar School in the final round, successfully defending the title Saint Kentigern has held since 2011. “The competition was an awesome opportunity to put our accounting knowledge to the test,” said Noah Farman. “After a hard-fought battle that went neck and neck, we managed to pull away in the final moments and bring the cup home once again.”

In the Business competition, Aidan Chu, Anna Ros, Lucy Sweetman, and Sophie Whelan secured victory for a second consecutive year. The team maintained a narrow lead throughout, claiming the trophy in the final round on financial information ahead of strong challenges from Mount Albert Grammar and Macleans College.

The Economics team made up of Mateen Bolkiah, Lisa Shi, Leon Wu, and Cody Zhang also performed strongly, narrowly missing a podium finish in an event won by Rangitoto College.

Head of Faculty for Commerce, Brian Peel, who served as quizmaster for the Business Pursuits Quiz, said the results reflected both the calibre and enthusiasm of the students. “The fact that so many put themselves forward each year, and achieve this level of success, speaks volumes about their commitment and understanding of these subjects,” he said.

With back-to-back titles and a long-running winning streak in Accounting, Saint Kentigern’s results once again affirm the College’s strength in business education.