When Zach Kirby reflects on his time at Albany Senior High School (ASHS), he credits it for lighting a spark that has powered an extraordinary journey.
Now in his final year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Commerce (Accounting) degree, Zach has built strong client relationships through a summer clerkship and gained confidence in his ongoing role as a Knowledge and Information Research Assistant, where he works on complex legal questions from throughout the firm. He is now preparing to step into a coveted role as a Law Clerk in the Technology Law Team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts – one of New Zealand’s leading top-tier law firms – working on some of the country’s most significant technology projects, including complex multi-jurisdictional matters.
Zach’s journey reads like a roadmap of excellence. A 2025 Kupe Leadership Scholar (one of only 16 awarded nationwide), Zach is mentored by Madeline Newman, CEO of AI Forum NZ, and sponsored by Anna Mowbray, founder of Zeil and co-owner of Auckland FC. His drive has also earned him the EY Business Student of the Year, the Business and Innovation Blues Award, the Distinguished Graduate Award, and multiple first in course awards – just to name a few of his prestigious awards.
Alongside his studies, Zach served as President of Beta Alpha Psi Auckland, where he secured gold-tier international chapter recognition, expanded membership dramatically, and launched a successful alumni mentoring programme that reconnected members from across the globe. Beta Alpha Psi is Zach’s way of giving back to the community. Through extensive mentoring, ideating and implementing world-class initiatives, Zach is always looking for new ways to help his peers secure coveted positions, but more importantly, to grow as individuals and to feel comfortable in bringing their true selves to the professional world. This has resulted in Beta Alpha Psi, the Auckland Chapter, being recognised as one of the most inclusive chapters on earth by Ernst Young.
A World Stage and a Passion for Leadership
On top of academic success, Zach has represented Aotearoa internationally, winning the Oceania Best Practices competition three times in a row against leading Australian and New Zealand competition (for the first time in the competition’s history) and becoming a two-time world finalist in the competition, presenting to audiences of over 300 people in Las Vegas and Orlando. Zach will be competing in his third world finals in San Antonio later this year. His commitment to leadership and mentoring runs deep, from helping university students secure top corporate roles to teaching business analytics and commercial law courses. For Zach, it’s all about giving back and helping others succeed. Playing a role in the growth of those around him is one of the things that makes Zach “tick”.
He also spent time interning at PwC Legal, where he worked on mergers and acquisitions and became a trusted source in the AI legal space across the Asia-Pacific region and helped create AI strategy when AI was only just beginning to boom — a sign of his ability to innovate and lead even in rapidly evolving sectors.
The Foundations Built at ASHS
Zach attributes much of his success to the solid foundation built at ASHS. “ASHS taught me to ask ‘why’ — to think critically about everything,” he shares. He describes the school’s collaborative environment as a place where he felt respected, encouraged to be his authentic self, and prepared for the real world. ASHS’s Impact Projects taught him to take ownership and think outside the box — skills he says have been essential in both university and professional life.
Zach also credits the Gateway programme at ASHS where he was able to secure part time employment at the Warehouse Albany, a job he kept for six years and has only recently left. This job allowed Zach to train and upskill those around him while learning how to sell a product through his role as a Technology Specialist – a skill that cannot be understated.
Some of Zach’s favourite ASHS memories include leading his own business through the Young Enterprise Scheme, where his company, Kiwa Surf Solutions, developed biodegradable surf wax and won the Company Spirit Award. He also thrived on the football field, earning the Players’ Player Award and ASHS Inspire Award in Year 13 — experiences that taught him teamwork, perseverance, and leadership while leaving him with lifelong friends.
Mentors Who Made a Lasting Impact
Key mentors at ASHS made a lasting impression. Teachers like Rachael, Simon, Nigel, and Wendy not only pushed him academically but also inspired critical thinking, commercial awareness, and personal growth. “They made me think deeper, work harder, and ultimately shaped the professional mindset I carry today,” Zach reflects. Zach recalls a fond memory where Simon took the time to sit down with him and a few other keen Business students prior to the exam to run an intensive study session. That action sums up the teaching staff at ASHS: always ready to help you thrive and to invest the time to help you grow as an individual.
Today, as he steps confidently into a future at the cutting edge of law and technology, Zach is keenly aware of where it all began. “ASHS lit a spark within me,” he says, “and that spark has empowered me to make the most of every opportunity.”
