What an incredible few weeks it has been! We’ve just wrapped up our NZ-wide and NSW-wide Fundraiser Innovation Challenge, and the creativity, energy, and purpose shown by every student team has blown us away.
This challenge asked teams to design and pitch a school fundraiser, working through four steps:
Choose an event type
Understand your stakeholders
Set prices & calculate funds raised
Advertise your event
Students then submitted a recorded pitch, judged by panels of experts from Massey Business School, Macquarie Business School, and the Macquarie University Innovation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship Research Centre.
We’re so grateful for their support, sponsorship, and time-they helped make this challenge truly special.
New Zealand Winners (sponsored by Massey Business School)
🥇 1st Place: Team Can Race (Tawa College)
Raising funds to upgrade school lockers, this team created a schoolwide “Amazing Race NZ” event featuring mental and physical challenges, secret missions, house group involvement, and beautiful mock-up advertising across posters, school messages, and socials.
They modelled costs, broke even at 11 participants, projected a profit of $1,393.42, and aligned the whole event with school values and community spirit.
🥈 2nd Place: Fun Fair Friday (Lynfield College)
A vibrant day-long fair raising funds to support the Polynesian dance groups heading to Polyfest 2026. With a clear goal of $2,000, the team showcased strong purpose and cultural pride.
🥉 3rd Place: NOVA (Lynfield College)
A creative annual event designed to raise funds for covered outdoor seating-needed for wet and sunny lunchtimes. Students pay to “dress a teacher” and vote for which teachers take part in a talent showcase. A fun, funny, and high-impact idea scaled to a big goal.
New South Wales Winners (sponsored by Macquarie Business School)
🥇 1st Place: Chomp (Westbourne College Sydney)
A second-hand clothing event tackling textile waste and the affordability of uniforms. Items were donated, sorted, and sold at accessible prices, with funds supporting the Red Cross. Their careful stakeholder analysis and break-even point (36 items) made this a standout.
🥈 2nd Place: Calculating Quolls (Westbourne College Sydney)
“Pudding mit Gabel” — bringing a viral European social phenomenon to Sydney’s public parks. A $5-entry cultural experience across three locations, backed by thoughtful costing and logistics planning.
🥉 3rd Place: Christmas Campers (PLC Sydney)
A warm, community-focused fundraiser: a Year 5–6 sleepover with Christmas movies, dinner, and games, raising money for the Exodus Foundation. Purpose-driven and well aligned with student interests.
Standout Highlights from All Teams
The mocked-up posters, socials, and branding were outstanding
Students took us on video tours of their schools to show what they were fundraising for
Friends, teachers, and school communities jumped into the videos
The fun students had was obvious and contagious
Pitches were confident, polished, and full of personality
Our judges commented on:
✔ Clear purpose & problem solving
✔ Creativity and community impact
✔ Strong planning, logistics, and stakeholder thinking
✔ Professional pitch delivery
✔ Energetic teamwork and confidence
A huge thank you again to Massey Business School, Macquarie Business School, and the Macquarie University Innovation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship Research Centre for supporting this challenge, sponsoring prizes, and providing expert judging panels across both countries.
And to all the students and teachers involved-your creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial thinking made this challenge unforgettable. We loved watching every pitch.
Here’s to supporting the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators. 🚀