A Fijian Indian mum who once made donuts at Countdown graduates at nearly 50

At almost 50 years of age, a Fijian India student attempted to rewrite her academic journey after a family crisis made her reconsider her life path.

Three decades after arriving in New Zealand from Fiji with little more than determination and a willingness to work hard, Ashni Marsh, a businesswoman, a mother to a nine year old son, and a partner, has graduated from the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor of Applied Social Work degree.

Young Ashni arrived in New Zealand from Fiji with big dreams, but survival came first.

Starting out as a donut maker at the supermarket chain then known as Countdown in Birkenhead, she earned just seven dollars an hour nearly 30 years ago and slowly worked her way up taking up other admin jobs later.

“I knew I had to survive and live,” Ashni, who is soon turning 50, told The Indian Weekender.

With no financial safety net to fall back on, she was unable to pursue further education, something she now describes as one of her mistakes after not completing high school in Fiji.

Over the years, Ashni gradually found financial stability, built a life in New Zealand and started a family with her partner. But life took another turn when her partner, a businessman, was diagnosed with cancer and later placed on life support.

“When my partner came off life support and was healing, he told me that I should have a stable, well-paying job that would support me and my family,” Ashni recalled.

“He asked me, ‘Have you ever thought about studying?’ Our son was three years old at the time.”

That conversation became a turning point.

In her late forties, Ashni found herself questioning whether she could return to education after so many years away from study.

“I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think about studying and how I could even go about it,” she said.

But with encouragement from her family and support from MIT, she decided to take the leap.

“With the amount of support that I got from MIT, I decided to go and do my bachelor’s degree.”

Ashni first enrolled in a Level 4 social work pathway programme before progressing into the Bachelor of Applied Social Work degree.

At the same time, she and her partner purchased a business in Ngatea, where they now run the Glory Company Café.

Despite living outside Auckland, Ashni commuted twice a week for classes while balancing work, family life and caring for her partner during his recovery.

“Twice a week, I commuted from Ngatea to Auckland for classes, often spending more than an hour each way,” she said.

'Rain, hailstorm, sunshine: I was there. Without fail'

Beginning her degree at 45, Ashni spent four years studying while managing work commitments, raising her son and supporting her partner through his health journey.

Many nights stretched into the early hours of the morning.

“I used to stay up till 2 or 3am studying after putting my son to sleep at 7pm,” she said.

She used to travel to MIT twice a week for her classed.

"Rain, hailstorm, sunshine: I was there. Without fail," she shared with The Indian Weekender. 

She said one of the toughest challenges was navigating menopause while trying to complete her degree.

“I managed all of that while also going through menopause, so my brain was not working the same as it used to. I used to get brain fog, but despite all that, I did it,” she said proudly.

Ashni credits much of her success to her partner, whom she describes as her “biggest rock ever”.

“He always made sure when I came home after a long day, my dinner was there on the table,” she said.

Studying at MIT

For Ashni, studying at MIT became about far more than gaining a qualification.

“It was the whole culture, the acceptance, the advocacy,” she said.

Social work, she believes, was a natural fit.

“I love advocating for people,” she said. “Watching them come out the other end gives me this immense happiness.”

Ashni completed all three of her placements with CAPS Hauraki and now works full-time as a registered social worker while managing her own business. 

Her academic journey also earned her the honour of being selected as valedictorian for MIT’s graduation ceremony, where she spoke openly about studying later in life and overcoming self-doubt.

Speaking directly to others considering tertiary study, Ashni said age should never become a barrier to education.

Today, Ashni and her partner continue to run the Glory Company Café in Ngatea, while her partner's health has significantly improved.

But even after completing her degree, Ashni says her learning journey is not over yet.

“I would love to become a clinical supervisor or do my master’s,” she said.