Jayde Wakeford is one of 10 cadets selected for an international cadet exchange programme.
Jayde Wakeford is one of 10 cadets selected for an international cadet exchange programme.
Raised in a household shaped by decades of service to the cadet forces, a Kerikeri teen is now stepping into her own leadership journey on the international stage.
Sixteen-year-old Jayde Wakeford has been selected as one of just 10 cadets nationwide for a prestigious international exchange, making her the onlyNorthland representative.
Jayde, a member of the Kerikeri Cadet Unit, will travel to Europe in July as part of the International Army Cadet Exchange.
The programme will involve New Zealand cadets joining their Australian and British counterparts for a two-week experience across London, France and Belgium from July 3-14.
The trip includes participation in the 110th commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, alongside leadership activities, military training exercises and cultural exchange.
She said the opportunity is both exciting and deeply personal.
“I feel very privileged to be selected and honoured to go on this journey. The reason why is because this trip is in honour of the battle of the Somme anniversary, which is something that I have been very interested in.”
Jayde said she is also eager to learn from other cadets and experience different cultures.
“I hope to learn about the different cultures and traditions that are associated in the different countries that I will be visiting. I also hope to learn about how the battle affected more than just our nation and how they dealt with the war after.”
She is also looking forward to going to the battlefields of the Somme.
“Because I think it will be amazing to stand in the same place where our soldiers were. I hope to gain more knowledge on this battle.”
She joined the Kerikeri Cadet Unit in 2023 and has quickly progressed through the ranks, currently holding the position of corporal after completing her Junior Leadership Course.
Her commitment has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Esprit de Corps award and honours at her unit’s annual prizegiving.
Jayde is also preparing to attend a senior leaders course in Waiouru, a step towards further promotion.
Her mother, Tracy, who has been part of the cadet organisation for over 30 years, said she was proud of her daughter.
“Being one of only 10 selected nationwide shows that even from a smaller, more remote unit, you can meet the same standards as anywhere else in the country.”
Jayde and her mother Major Tracy Wakeford.
She said the opportunity was not only an honour but also a responsibility.
“I think it represents both an honour and a responsibility, not just for Jayde as an individual but for the Far North and for Army Cadets as a whole.”
Fundraising efforts are now underway to support Jayde’s trip, including a movie premiere event in Kerikeri, raffles and an online auction featuring locally made items.
“This is an opportunity for the community to get behind one of their own,” her mother said.
“I know times are tough right now, and not everyone is in a position to give a lot, but every little bit genuinely helps. Even small contributions add up and show that the community is behind her.”
The movie night will premiere SGT Haane, which is based on a true story of a Māori Battalion soldier in World War II. The movie premiere will be on Thursday, April 23 from 6.30pm, with tickets available on: www.trybooking.com and the online auction can be found on www.32auctions.com/CPLWakeford.
