Getting to know... Zara Wills

Zara Wills is one of the newest – and youngest – faces on the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce board, known for her fresh ideas, passion for supporting young people, and a spontaneous spirit that’s already led to some great adventures (like buying a house on a whim!).

As a child, I was really into...
All things music and performing. I first sang on stage at barely two years old. Throughout my childhood, my poor parents had never-ending shows and rehearsals to attend between singing, ballet, jazz, Highland, guitar, and piano. I especially enjoyed the Marlborough Performing Arts Competitions, especially singing in character and costume.

The world would be a better place with more...
Unexpected kindness. I’m a huge believer that small kindnesses go a long way to improve someone’s day. Simple acts like holding the door, sharing a kind word, or stopping at a courtesy crossing can go a long way to brightening someone’s day.

Something I learnt way later than I should have…
The worst they can say is ‘no.’ It wasn’t until recently that I gained the courage to start asking for opportunities and advocating for myself. It is incredibly easy to undersell yourself and sit back waiting for opportunities to find you. Since I’ve started a proactive approach and forced myself out of my shell, I’ve started meeting so many incredible people and have become involved in some great causes.

A family tradition I’ll never give up...
Camping at Christmas. I was still in diapers when my family first took me camping over the Christmas break. This annual trip became the tradition I most looked forward to at the end of the year. As soon as I hit adulthood, I started collecting my own kit and dragging along my partner and friends to a variety of campgrounds around the region. Our annual trip has now become a favourite tradition amongst my friendship group.

The most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done is...
Buy a house. When you think of purchasing your first home, spontaneity definitely wouldn’t be the first thing to come to mind. In February 2024, my partner’s mother got us thinking about buying a house. Within a week we were at the bank getting pre-approval, within two weeks we had put an offer in, and by the end of the month, we went unconditional. We’re now very happily in our home alongside our wonderful flatmates.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken…
At 17, I packed up and moved south for study. While this may sound like the standard student experience, it certainly wasn’t so simple. I made the decision to make my way to SIT in Invercargill to take advantage of their ‘fees free’ scheme and get my degree without any student loan. The day before classes started, I arrived in Invercargill. I did not know a single person, had no support, and had never been to the city before. Luckily, everything worked itself out. I never did get used to the weather, especially after having grown up in Blenheim.

I am most passionate about…
Youth advocacy. I was a founding member of the Marlborough Youth Trust Advisory Group. Through my four years advising on the wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings of youth in Marlborough, I’ve grown to be very passionate about our young community. I have been involved in a significant amount of work around Marlborough youth, including previously running a youth group, helping organise and MC multiple Youth Trust events, contributing to the opening of MYSPACE (including coming up with the name.) I believe we should all be investing in the wellbeing of future generations and giving them all the tools and support they need to grow and thrive.