When 23-year-old Cyrus Meredith Melhuish walked across the stage at Spark Arena on Thursday, 7 May, it marked the end of a journey shaped by family legacy, personal struggles, and a rediscovery of identity.

Born and raised in Auckland, Cyrus is of Samoan, Tokelauan, Portuguese and British heritage, with family ties to Togafuafua and Fuipu’a in Upolu, and Leone in Tutuila.

He graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Politics and International Relations, and Asian Studies.

For Cyrus, reaching graduation was not always certain.

He said making friends had always been difficult, leaving his school years lonely and emotionally draining. When he started university during the COVID-19 pandemic, online classes and isolation made things even harder.

“At one point, I thought about dropping out,” he said.

After taking a semester off, Cyrus said it was his family who encouraged him to keep studying.

Everything changed when he discovered Pacific Studies during his final year.

He found a learning environment that matched his interests in geopolitics while also giving him a sense of belonging among students with similar cultural connections.

His first trip to Samoa last year also became a turning point.

Cyrus travelled to Samoa with his family for the first time, reconnecting with the roots and legacy of his late great-grandparents, Akenese Meleisea and Meleisea Felix Leavaise'eta.

“My great-grandfather was a high chief,” he said. 

“He brought our entire family to New Zealand when my grandmother was just a teenager. That move gave us all a great start.”

Cyrus said he remains grateful for the sacrifices made by his ancestors.

Education also runs strongly in the family. His older sister, Courtney Sina Meredith, is an award-winning poet and writer who was named the University’s Young Alumna of the Year in 2021, the same year Cyrus began his studies.

“I was just a toddler when I first came onto campus with my sister,” he said. 

“It feels like I’ve been connected to the University my whole life.”

Today, Cyrus works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Pacific Studies at the University, helping support Māori and Pacific students.

He said the role helped him recognise the value of his own experiences and gave him confidence in his voice.

Cyrus acknowledged Associate Professor Caroline Vercoe and Pacific Studies lecturer Dr Sarah McLean-Orsborn for supporting him throughout his studies.

He also acknowledged lecturers Dr Changzoo Song, Xiyuan Hu, Dr Haiying Hou, Dr Farrah Jabeen, and Fang Tuigamala.

“I want to thank my great-grandparents for giving us such a privileged life, for having the courage to leave everything they knew to give us a better future,” he said.

Cyrus plans to travel before returning to university for postgraduate studies focused on Pacific research.